In an effort to strengthen awareness and appreciation of the history and heritage of the city of Depok, the Center for Research on Society and Culture, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia (PPKB FIB UI) and Lintas Alumni Nusantara Bersatu (LANB) held an open discussion entitled “Depok City: Collective Memory and Heritage.” The event occurs on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at the Auditorium Building 1, FIB UI campus, Depok.
This event aims to explore and understand the collective memory of the people of Depok as well as the cultural and historical heritage attached to this city. Through this discussion, the community can be more familiar with Depok’s history, and care for and preserve the existing heritage as part of the city’s identity. The discussion was moderated by Prof. Zeffry Alkatiri from the Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia.
The event started at 09.00 WIB with the opening by Dr. Bondan Kanumoyoso S.S., M.Hum as the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia. The Dean, who is also a historian said that it is important to maintain and utilize the historical and cultural heritage of Depok City, which has a long history since the Dutch colonial period and is rich in cultural diversity. He hoped that this discussion would encourage active community participation in preserving Depok’s cultural heritage and strengthen awareness of the importance of collective memory as a symbol of pluralism and tolerance.
After the opening and welcoming speech from the Dean of FIB UI, the event continued with the first speaker, Boy Loen, the Head of History of Yayasan Lembaga Cornelis Chastelein (YLCC). He explained the early to late history and biography of Cornelis Chastelein. Cornelis Chastelein was known as a landowner who owned a large plantation in the area now known as Depok, West Java. Chastelein was a generous man and had great concern for the welfare of his slaves. Cornelis Chastelein founded Depok by bringing 150 slaves from Bali to cultivate farmland and plantations. He taught them reading and writing, Christian worship, and how to live in society. After his death, he left the land of Depok to his slaves. The day of his death, June 28, is commemorated as Depok Day, which in 2024 will be its 310th anniversary.
After that, the event was continued by Dr. Bondan Kanumoyoso, S.S., M.Hum, as the second speaker. He explained about “Depok: Dari Sejarah Menjadi Heritage (Depok: From History to Heritage)”. The history of Depok becoming a heritage has deep roots in the reign of Cornelis Chastelein. As a landlord in the 17th century, Chastelein saw the importance of freedom and initiative for his people. In his will, he established rules that gave freedom and autonomy to the community he formed, which became known as the “Orang Depok”. Dr. Bondan Kanumoyoso, S.S., M.Hum, explained that Chastelein’s idea of a colony that gives freedom and initiative to its inhabitants became the basis for Depok to develop and survive. The uniqueness and strength of this community are one of the reasons why Depok is considered a valuable heritage. This historical heritage shows how a community built on the principles of freedom and autonomy can survive and thrive for centuries, making it an important cultural heritage for current and future generations. because the Depok community proved able to survive more than two centuries, until the end of Dutch colonial rule in 1942 and remained in existence until the early 1950s.
After that, the event continued with the third speaker, JJ Rizal, historian of the Bamboo Community, who discussed the topic of Depok’s development today with its sites and colonies. He said that Depok could be an inspiration, because not only is it experiencing a forest crisis, such as a significant shrinkage of forest area and a reduction in parks, but it also has the potential as a historical heritage that has not been properly utilized. According to him, the idea of Depok as heritage does not have a proper place in the present. He explained that Cornelis was a religious man and scientist who produced the first scientific work in Depok. Depok has rich layers of history, a spice economy, and various other layers of history. However, until now, Depok has not had a museum to study this history. Although, Depok has a broad spectrum of inspiring historical records, covering various aspects such as humanism and interculturalism.
After the main program was over, a Q&A session lasted for 120 minutes, involving various groups who had questions about the government’s role in preserving culture. Some of the topics discussed included how to implement cultural heritage preservation for the future of society at large, as well as proposals to build Depok history museums in various locations.
The speakers emphasized that the government can focus more on preserving cultures that are in line with Depok’s historical roots. In addition, the community is expected to actively spread knowledge about heritage Collective Memory and Heritage of Depok City. After that, the event officially ended at 12.00 WIB.
Head of PPKB FIB UI Lily Tjahjandari Ph.D. expressed her hope that this discussion could be a significant first step in maintaining and preserving the heritage of the city of Depok.
“We have a shared responsibility to maintain and preserve existing history and culture. Through understanding and appreciating the collective memory and heritage of the city, we can build a strong and dignified Depok city identity,” she said.
Therefore, continued Lily, PPKB FIB UI as a research institution opens the widest possible opportunities for cooperation with local communities, government, and non-governmental organizations to protect and care for cultural heritage, especially those in Depok. PPKB FIB UI is also committed to supporting the policies and initiatives of the parties related to the preservation of cultural heritage.
PPKB FIB UI is a Special Work Unit in the field of research at the Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia, which accommodates and organizes research, training, seminars, publishing, and other activities related to the fields of study of anthropology, archaeology, sociology, psychology, history, art, philology, philosophy, law, literature, linguistics, social welfare, international relations, architecture, and economics. Research can be monodisciplinary or multidisciplinary.
As part of the cultural education institution at the Universitas Indonesia, PPKB FIB UI is steadfast in its dedication to promoting understanding and appreciation of every effort to preserve cultural heritage for students and the general public. (RMRW).
