Banyuwangi Airport Distributes Aid to Osing Gandrung Studio

PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia’s Banyuwangi Airport branch in East Java has distributed financial aid for the purchase of traditional musical instruments to the Sanggar Gandrung Osing Kemiren in Banyuwangi through its Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL/CSR) programme. The assistance is part of the CSR Community Upskilling for Aviation programme, which aims to empower local communities to continue developing, become self-reliant, and remain competitive. “Cultural preservation is an important part of sustainable development that needs to be supported by all stakeholders,” said Banyuwangi Airport General Manager Mohamad Holik Muardi in a statement in Banyuwangi on Saturday. Holik added that through this TJSL programme, the airport seeks to provide tangible support to artists so they can continue to create, preserve cultural heritage, and introduce Banyuwangi’s cultural identity to a wider audience. “We hope this assistance will benefit the Sanggar Gandrung Osing Kemiren in maintaining the existence of local culture amidst the changing times,” he said. He noted that the distribution of aid was also part of the BWX Sky Fest 2.0 series of activities, which carries the theme “Majestic Coffee of Banyuwangi”. The event is held to support the development of the creative economy, promote local coffee, and empower business actors and the coffee community. The festival will feature various educational and interactive activities, including talkshows on the coffee industry and creative business opportunities, a coffee brewing competition, and an MSME exhibition and bazaar showcasing a variety of Banyuwangi’s flagship products. Holik explained that the Majestic Coffee of Banyuwangi event is an effort by Banyuwangi Airport to strengthen the position of Banyuwangi coffee as one of the region’s leading commodities with distinctive quality and flavour. The event also serves as a collaborative space for coffee farmers, MSME players, creative communities, tourism stakeholders, and the younger generation to jointly drive sustainable local economic growth. “BWX Sky Fest 2.0 is our form of support for the development of the region’s creative economy ecosystem. We want to elevate the potential of local coffee as a source of regional pride while bringing together various elements of society in a productive collaborative forum,” he said. Banyuwangi Airport remains committed to supporting the region’s social, cultural, and creative economic development through the implementation of the TJSL/CSR programme and the organisation of BWX Sky Fest 2.0. Meanwhile, Mohamad Edi Saputra, Chairman of Sanggar Gandrung Osing Kemiren Banyuwangi, expressed appreciation for the support provided by PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia’s Banyuwangi Airport. “We express our gratitude for the attention and assistance given. This support is very meaningful for us to continue preserving, developing, and introducing Osing culture to the wider community. The aid for musical instruments and performance equipment will greatly support the studio’s activities in preserving traditional arts while nurturing the younger generation to continue loving their regional culture,” said Edi.