Puhsararang Kediri Church, East Java Designated As Cultural Heritage

The Puhsararang Church in Kediri, East Java has been designated as a national cultural heritage. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) has officially designated the Puhsararang Church, in Puhsararang Village, Semen District, Kediri Regency, East Java, as a cultural heritage.

Head of the History and Antiquities Division of the Kediri Regency Tourism and Culture Office, Eko Priatno, said that the determination of the Puhsararang Church as a national cultural heritage was part of an effort that began in 2019.

"We were invited by the Directorate of Cultural Protection of the Ministry of Education and Culture regarding the determination of national level cultural heritage. There were three locations that were targeted for actual determination, the first was the Puhsararang Church, the second was the Gunung Kelud Mitigation Tunnel, and the third was the Totok Kerrot Site, but the decision was made as the national ranking cultural heritage in the field of structure, namely the Puhsararang Church," said Eko Priatno, quoted by Antara in Kediri, Sunday.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Epigraphic Experts Association Ninie Susanti Tedjowasono explained that the Puhsararang Church in Kediri Regency has its own uniqueness, especially because it is close to a century old.

"From various points of view, this church is interesting, especially because it was designed by the Dutch architect who adopted the Javanese architecture," said the Indonesian epigraphic maestro.

Ninie, who is also a National Level Cultural Heritage Expert Team, also emphasized that this church not only has historical value, but is also an example of architecture that combines local and European culture.

In addition, Ninie also hopes that apart from the Puhsararang Church, the Paradah Inscription, which is located in the Siman area, the Surrounding District, Kediri Regency, can be designated as a national level cultural heritage.

"The continuation of Paradah 1 and 2 Inscriptions deserves to be proposed as Memory of the World because its content is unique and can inspire the next generation," said Ninie.

Chairman of the Arts and Culture Council of Kediri Regency (DK4) Imam Mubarok expressed his appreciation for the news of the determination of the Puhsararang Church as a cultural heritage in the field of structure.

"This is extraordinary that there has been a determination. What needs to be considered is that there are rules of the game when there is already a national level cultural heritage. For example, when there is development in the church location or improvement, a permit must be given to the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology c/q Culture and letters can be sent through BPK Region XI," said Gus Barok, Imam Mubarok's nickname.

Gus Barok hopes that the Cultural Heritage Expert Team (TACB) will soon be formed in Kediri Regency. This is due to many historical relics in the Kediri Regency area.

"There used to be (A Cultural Heritage Expert Team), one member died, two resigned and currently only two people left. Because there are only two people left, they cannot make a determination in the district, so it needs to be formed immediately," he said.