Cirebon Culture and Tourism Office Involves Teachers in Ancient Manuscript Study

The Cirebon Regency Culture and Tourism Office (Disbudpar) is involving teachers and students in an effort to expand historical literacy through the study of ancient manuscripts, ensuring the historical and cultural values they contain can be understood and disseminated to the public. Head of Disbudpar Cirebon, Fajar Sutrisno, stated that involving teachers, students, and agency staff is part of a strategy to introduce the results of manuscript studies to a wider audience. According to him, ancient manuscripts are not merely museum collections, but important sources containing historical records, cultural values, and the identity of the Cirebon community. “We really need to study these manuscripts, convey their contents, and introduce them to the public,” he said. He noted that the findings from manuscript studies must be shared with various groups so that knowledge of local history does not remain confined to academic circles or government institutions. “Therefore, teachers and students are considered to have a strategic role in disseminating this information through learning activities, research, and community service,” he added. In addition to involving external participants, Disbudpar is also encouraging all its employees to understand the museum collections, including manuscripts that are an important part of Cirebon’s cultural heritage. “We want all Disbudpar employees to know and recognise the museum we have, including the manuscript collections that are a vital part of Cirebon’s history,” he said. He explained that this understanding is necessary so that staff can provide accurate information to the public and tourists visiting the museum. Fajar stressed that the dissemination of accurate information is crucial to prevent the history of Cirebon from developing based on incorrect or unverified information. To support this goal, his office brought in academics and cultural observers with expertise in manuscript studies and local history to present their research.