Rajapatni.com: Surabaya (7/11/24) – November in Indonesia, nationally, is known as the month of Heroism because November 10 is celebrated as Heroes’ Day. On the same date, November 10, according to several sources, it is also recorded as Raden Wijaya’s Coronation Day as the First King of Majapahit.
This November 10 calendar coincides with the 15th of the month of Kartika in 1215 Saka or November 10, 1293 AD. The date of Raden Wijaya’s coronation also marks the founding of the Majapahit Kingdom, which is located in Mojokerto Regency, East Java.
So far, November 10 as a commemoration of Heroes’ Day is much more popular than the anniversary of the Majapahit Kingdom, which is also the coronation day of its first King, Raden Wijaya, whose title is Kertarajasa Jayawardhana. He ruled the Majapahit Kingdom from 1293 to 1309.
So what kind of celebration is appropriate as a commemoration of the anniversary of the Majapahit Kingdom and the Coronation of Raden Wijaya?
The Region XI East Java Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) in November 2024 is planning to hold a series of arts and culture activities ranging from Cultural Events, campursari, exhibitions to seminars highlighting Wilwatikta or Majapahit, packaged in Wilwatikta Acarita or Majapahit Telling Stories.
Wilwatikta is Majapahit. The word Wilwatikta comes from the Old Javanese word. Wilwa means Maja fruit and Tikta means bitter. So Wilwatikta means Maja fruit which tastes bitter. Abbreviated as Majapahit.
Wilwatikta Acarita is Majapahit Storytelling. That the splendor, strength and greatness of Wilwatikta is something real and not a fairy tale told by predecessors.
Various aspects of Wilwatikta are interesting to study and discuss. Many archaeologists have uncovered the mystery of Wilwatikta (Majapahit), but Wilwatikta is still an interesting mystery.
A National Seminar on the Wilwatikta Acarita activity is an event to reveal the mystery of Wilwatikta from various scientific perspectives so that the narrative of the greatness of Wilwatikta becomes a scientific record, which can make the young generation of East Java proud as the successors of Wilwatikta.
The Region XI East Java Cultural Preservation Center, through Wilwatikta Acarita, invites the public to share stories about Wilwatikta by collecting narratives in a “Call for Paper”, the results of which will later be used as material for National Seminars and book publications. There are three sub themes in this Call for Paper. Namely a) Wilwatikta of the Earth and Humans, b) Wilwatikta in Cross-Cultural Archipelago and c) Wilwatikta and its Protection.
Head of BPK Region XI, Endah Budi Heriyani, confirmed that there will be a series of activities in November 2024, which essentially aim to protect Majapahit heritage through stories (narratives) and artistic and cultural performances.
“This event is set with interesting activities so that in turn it can encourage the public to enjoy and increase the sense of belonging, which is also an effort to protect the Majapahit heritage,” explained the Head of BPK Region XI, Endah Budi Heriyani.
This cultural event combines Objects for the Advancement of Culture (OPK) and Cultural Heritage (CB). For example, there will be a reading of the Negarakertagama Manuscript and visits to points where King Hayam Wuruk had visited, such as in Lumajang.
“This way the public understands, oh it turns out Hayam Wuruk has visited Lumajang,” added Endah.
This Wilwatikta arts and culture event is appropriate to welcome a new state institution, which specifically deals with culture. Namely the Ministry of Culture.
Hermas Thony, Surabaya Culture Activist who was also Deputy Chairman of the Surabaya City Council DPRD (2019-2024), last week (30/10/24) met the Head of BPK WXI in Trowulan. Thony said that the celebration initiated by the Region XI Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) in November deserves to be attended by the new Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon.
“This is also a form of gratitude from the people of East Java to God for the establishment of the Ministry of Culture,” said Thony.
Thony added that the values of the Majapahit Empire, which have so far colored the Indonesian nation, can continue to be developed to become a motivation for all components of the nation to rise more quickly in the present and future to build a New Nusantara (PAR/nng)