Rajapatni.com: Surabaya (24/8/24) – The Old Town of Surabaya, particularly the European zone, has drawn the attention of ꦗꦸꦂꦤꦭꦶꦱ꧀ journalist Charles Noel Van Bemmel from the prominent Dutch media outlet, *de Volkskrant*. As the Head of Bureau during his assignment in Indonesia, Noel visited Surabaya accompanied by photographer Hendra Eka.
Arriving from ꦧꦭꦶ Bali on Thursday evening (23/8/24), they immediately checked into a hotel in the Old Town area. This strategic choice allowed them to observe the daily transitions and the atmosphere of the district.
Their exploration began on Thursday night in the Old Town and continued on Friday morning, starting from ꦥꦼꦕꦶꦤꦤ꧀ Pecinan (Chinatown) to the European zone. They crossed the historic and iconic Roode Brug, known locally as ꦗꦼꦩ꧀ꦧꦠꦤ꧀ꦩꦺꦫꦃ Jembatan Merah (Red Bridge).
The morning sunlight illuminated the facades of the colonial buildings along the west side of ꦗꦭꦤ꧀ꦗꦼꦩ꧀ꦧꦠꦤ꧀ꦩꦺꦫꦃ Jembatan Merah Street, enhancing the beauty of the revitalized Old Town. The scene was further enriched by the clear blue sky.
A hot brewed coffee at Baladewa Cafe, located in a former parking lot area, energized the two members of *de Volkskrant*. They were guided by historian and cultural enthusiast Nanang Purwono from the Puri Aksara Rajapatni community, accompanied by Ita Surojoyo (founder of Rajapatni) and Ricky Setiono (head of RT 03 RW 10, Krembangan Selatan).
At Baladewa Cafe, overlooking the Kalimas River, they delved into stories about Surabaya’s Old Town to satisfy Noel’s curiosity as a senior journalist.
“I’ve interviewed the Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia and Ms. Yulia Lukito,” Noel shared, revealing part of his angle for covering Surabaya.
Recently, the Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia, Lamberts Grijns, visited Surabaya for the 13th ICAS event and to inspect a joint heritage project between the Begandring Soerabaia community and TiMe Amsterdam.
During his visit, Grijns also explored Surabaya’s Old Town and expressed admiration for its revitalization by the city government. Officially opened as a Surabaya Historical Tourism Area on July 3, 2024, Surabaya’s Old Town is a testament to successful urban conservation efforts.
The colonial buildings and architecture in Surabaya’s Old Town attract visitors with their unique charm and educational value. On Friday, August 23, 2024, visitors included schoolchildren, university students, local residents, a line-dance community, and even a couple taking pre-wedding photos.
There were also resilient youths from Banten enjoying Surabaya’s Old Town.
The European zone in Surabaya’s Old Town is positively received by visitors. However, this perception contrasts with sentiments in the Netherlands, where the younger generation often associates colonial heritage with feelings of guilt and shame.
“They feel regretful and embarrassed about their ancestors’ colonization of Indonesia,” Noel explained, whose own ancestors hail from Java.
Noel aims to understand how locals perceive the value of colonial heritage.
“What’s old remains old, and what’s new is new. What matters now is how we can work together for mutual benefit,” commented a line-dance performer.
During their exploration of the European zone, Noel and Hendra Eka, guided by Ricky, visited old Indies-style pillar houses, the Siropen soda factory, and Ricky’s residence, which is located next door.
At Siropen, Noel purchased a bottle of classic syrup wrapped in carton packaging after observing the production rooms and syrup-making jars. To enrich their story, the *de Volkskrant* team continued…