Surabaya as the Capital City of East Java, known as the City of Heroes, and the second largest city in Indonesia. The total population of the city is more than 2.9 million and have diverse cultures. With the culture diversity character of the city, the Government and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Surabaya held a cultural exchange festival called Surabaya Cross Culture since 11 years ago. Before, groups participated in the festival were only the sister countries of Surabaya. In 2016, the Government of Surabaya organized a slightly different event and changed the name of the festival into Surabaya Cross Culture International Folk and Art Festival 2016 (SSIFAF 2016).

This year was the first year of cooperations between the Government of Surabaya and CIOFF Indonesia in support of the management of Surabaya Cross Culture International Folk and Art Festival 2016. (SCCIFAF 2016). The aim of the festival was to promote Indonesia espescially East Java Province and Surabaya, and also to promote “Visit Surabaya 2016”. The particiapants of the festival this year were International Groups from CIOFF Indonesia, Surabaya’s Sister Cities like Wuxi, Guangzhou, and Xiamen (China) and a group from Seoul, South Korea. Besides that, the festival also attended by participants from Sleman, Balikpapan, North Borneo, and Surabaya’s local group.

CIOFF Indonesia sent three of its members, Ghina Aulia Megaputri, Chika Nur Rachma K. Wasitova, and Rosmala Sari Dewi as executor and help during the festival. CIOFF Indonesia, lead by Said Rachmat invited several international delegates to participate in the festival. The groups are American Footworks Folk Dance Ensemble (IDAHO USA), Ansamblul Folkloric Studentesc “Martisorul” (ROMANIA), Polonia Ensemble (POLAND), Leigarid Folklore Society Group (ESTONIA), and Yang Ju Byul San Dae & Kin Hei Kyung Dance (SOUTH KOREA).

Surabaya Cross Culture International Folk and Art Festival (SCCIFAF) 2016 held at 14-16th of August 2016. The delegates participated in activities that surely caught Surabayans eyes. On the first day, all international delegates followed a parade and had the chance to ride a decorated Becak as a traditional transportation of Indonesia. Opened by Mrs. Risma, the Mayor of Surabaya, the parade started from Taman Bungkul, to Darmo street, Urip Sumoharjo street and Jalan Panglima Sudirman street, and ended in the Town Hall of Surabaya. After the parade, the delegates also got the chance to perform on a Street Performance activity at Tugu Bambu. The event then continued to a Press Conference of Surabaya Cross Culture International Folk and Art Festival (SCCIFAF) 2016 at town hall, and also followed by lunch. Mrs. Risma as the Mayor of Surabaya hosted the lunch and presented the delegates with various traditional cuisines, so that the delegates had the chance to taste Indonesian food.

    Performance stages in SCCIFAF 2016 were divided in several venues such as, Taman Jayengrono, Taman Bungkul, Tunjungan Plaza Mall, Royal Plaza Mall, and Ciputra Mall, and Gwalk. Besides that, the delegates also did an opening performance at Town Hall, and closing ceremony at Cultural Hall Building. Apart from traditional dance and music, the delegates also had the chance to present about the philosophy and descriptions of their culture at a workshop in Surabaya Museum Gallery. The students around the city of Surabaya also got the chance to learn the dance moves of the participants’ countries.



Besides introducing their culture, the international delegates also had the opportunity to get to know the face of Surabaya. They did a tour to Sungai Kalimas and cruising down with a boat, and did some souvenir shopping at Mirota, participated in “Malam Tirakatan” by visiting Plampitan Village, Maspati Village, Peneleh Village, and Ketandan Village. Surabaya is also known as the city of 1000 museums, so the delegates also visited Health Museum (Museum Kesehatan), Museum of Bank of Indonesia (Museum Bank Indonesia), and Monument of Heroes (Tugu Pahlawan).

Surabaya Cross Culture International Folk and Art Festival (SCCIFAF) 2016 captured the local and international media’s attention where the event was stated to be a successful event for cultural exchange. Happiness, pride, and friendships were established between Indonesia and participating delegates. The presence of SCCIFAF in years to come will surely be an event to be awaited by the locals.

Written by : Ghina Aulia Megaputri

Edited and published by : Gayatri Larasati & Ghina Aulia Megaputri