Jakarta, IO – Semarang Upakarya Exhibition, an attempt to showcase the strong relation between Semarang and Yogyakarta from long, long ago. Held in Yogya Gallery on 27-31 August 2023, it shows how the two heritage cities are strongly founded on a solid foundation of Javanese culture and philosophy. To showcase the profound sense of heritage and connection, the organizers settled on the ancient term “upakara”.
The Javanese term “upakarya” or “upakara” means, respectively, “good or virtuous deed” and “sincere stewarding from the soul”. The Semarang Upakarya Exhibition presents the items thus stewarded between the two cities since ancient times – the documents and manuscripts and artistic items, invoices, letters, postcards, watercolor paintings, batik cloths, photos, and parts of the railway installations that witness the close relations between Semarang and Yogyakarta.
“Semarang and Yogyakarta have strong relations since olden days, and it is this part of history that we are evoking here,” declared Wing Wiyarso Poespojoedho, Head of the Cultural and Tourism Office of Semarang City, during the Semarang Upakarya Exhibition Opening in Jogja Gallery, Monday (28/08/2023).
The Municipal Governments of Semarang and Yogyakarta have synergized to organize the Exhibition for quite some time. They are well aware of the importance of reminding the citizens of both cities of the strong ties between them “Yogyakarta and Semarang’s longtime strong relations cover many aspects of culture and heritage, including their public buildings and transportation facilities,” Wing explained.
Wing’s Yogyakarta counterpart, Yetti Martanti, added that the event was held to further strengthen relations between Yogyakarta and Semarang: “We hope to be able to hold this event for years to come. We also hope that Upakarya Semarang will allow the citizens of both Yogyakarta and Semarang to become aware of the relations between them for generations. This will educate the people about the strong cultural, mercantile, and political relations between the two cities,” she explained.
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Upakarya # 1, or the first part of the Exhibition, was held in Yogyakarta. In the past, Semarang was the seat of power for the Netherland Indies Governor General, with his deputy, or Residen, based in Yogyakarta. And throughout Yogyakarta’s history, Semarang has always been the first stop whenever a king of the region went on a visit outside the island. Furthermore, as industry and commerce developed, it serves as an important distribution point for the sugar produced from the region.
Back in the 1800’s, a trip from Semarang to Yogyakarta required at least 5 days. In view of Semarang’s importance as a political, military, and industrial center, the first train stop was built there by the Dutch in the 1900s. Naturally, it became quicker and smoother for citizens to travel between the two cities afterwards. (des)