Surabaya Art and Cultural Parade Makes Virtual Shift

HUMAS PEMKOT SURABAYA

Several artists perform at Tugu Pahlawan (Monument of Heroes) in Surabaya, East Java, on Saturday (19/9/2020). The cultural performance was held virtually to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

SURABAYA, KOMPAS – After six months of being halted due to the Covid-19 epidemic, art and cultural performances held regularly every weekend at the Youth Center of Surabaya have recommenced. The performances are carried out on an open stage without spectators and are broadcast through social media channels. The performances will start Saturday night (19/9/2020) in Hero Square. The event, titled “Red and White Surabaya” (Surabaya Merah Putih), reenacts the flag-tearing event that took place on 19 August 1945 at the Yamato Hotel (now Majapahit Hotel). The mayor of Surabaya, Tri Rismaharini, will also attend and perform at the event, where she will a recite a poem entitled “The memory of Red and White Surabaya” (Memori Surabaya Merah Putih).

Risma said the event was being held to stimulate the economy. She has received complaints from a number of artists whose income has decreased due to a lack of art events, including art and cultural events that had been held by the local government of Surabaya every weekend.

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At the event, the artists get to perform in rotation. Every performance, every group of performers get Rp 1.5 million from the government and spectators can watch the show for free.

“However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the show had been temporarily stopped. Now we have found a concept for the show that is safe and in line with health protocols,” she said in Surabaya, Sunday (20/9/2020). The event now will be carried out on an open stage located in Hero Square without spectators. The show will be broadcast live via social media channels so that it can be enjoyed by the public without having to go to the location.” Artists still have to work during this pandemic,” said Risma.

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HUMAS PEMKOT SURABAYA

Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini reads a poem during a cultural event at Tugu Pahlawan (Monument of Heroes) in Surabaya, East Java, on Saturday (19/9/2020).

Around 30 percent of Covid-19 patients in Surabaya are people aged between 15 and 34 years old.

Surabaya Culture and Tourism Agency head Antiek Sugiharti said the art and cultural parade was held regularly for three to five days a week. The event runs from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. The performances and artists will change every week based on the theme. Some arts that are performed include ludruk, wayang orang, keroncong, campur sair, and reog. They invite few art groups, artists and cultural practitioners from Surabaya to participate, such as Cak Kartolo, Cak Lupus, and Cak Suro. “Besides broadcasted live on social media, the event will be broadcasted on television so that it can reach more people,’ said Antiek.

With the event, she hopes that people can spend their time during the weekend at home. People do not need to go out of their houses, because doing so can cause crowds. While at home, they are served with art and cultural shows. Risma added that crowds on the weekend had the potential to create new clusters of Covid-19. Therefore, her team continuously conducted mass testing in public places, especially places full of youths. They usually spend their weekends hanging in cafés and on the roadside. “Around 30 percent of Covid-19 patients in Surabaya are people aged between 15 and 34 years old. They are vulnerable to infection and could infect their friends and family,” said Risma.