Gresik Regent Hopes Damar Kurung Creative House Integrates with Tourism

Gresik Regency is not only known as an industrial city or a city of santri, but also possesses a noble historical and cultural heritage. One of its most valuable cultural gems, which has been recognised as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, is Damar Kurung. This was conveyed by Gresik Regent Fandi Akhmad Yani during the inauguration of the Damar Kurung Creative House and the opening of the ‘Damar Kurung Melintas Waktu’ (Damar Kurung Through Time) painting exhibition on Jalan KH Kholil, Kebungson Village, Gresik District, on Saturday (27/6/2026). He expressed hope that the Damar Kurung Creative House would become an epicentre for the younger generation in preserving cultural identity. He also hopes that the presence of this creative house and painting exhibition will not only serve as a space for art appreciation but will also be strongly integrated with the local tourism sector. Through this integration, the creative space is projected to attract a wider range of tourists, enabling the arts sector to make a real impact and transform into economic value that brings prosperity to art practitioners and the local community. “Hopefully, this strategic step can transform the creativity of local artists into an ecosystem with high and sustainable economic value,” he said in a written statement on Sunday (28/6/2026). Fandi Akhmad Yani stated that Damar Kurung is not merely a wooden lantern decorated with painted paper. Behind its glow, there is a narrative of life, tradition, social values, and the spirituality of the coastal Muslim community of Gresik, recorded with great honesty. “Through the brushstrokes of our maestro, the late Mbah Masmundari, Damar Kurung has travelled far, introducing the face of Gresik to the world art stage,” he said. Therefore, the inauguration of the Damar Kurung Creative House is a tangible manifestation of the Gresik Regency Government’s commitment, together with all elements of society, to ensure that this creative flame does not die out. This place is dedicated as a learning centre, a creative incubation hub for the younger generation, as well as a meeting space for artists to continue bringing Gresik’s proud icon to life. “We want to ensure that our future grandchildren do not only hear the name Damar Kurung from history books, but are able to paint and interpret it directly,” he explained. He also appreciated the opening of the creative house and the painting exhibition titled ‘Damar Kurung Melintas Waktu’. According to him, the theme carries a powerful message. ‘Melintas Waktu’ reminds us that traditional art must remain relevant to the changing times. “Damar Kurung must be able to cross generational boundaries, from the era of Mbah Masmundari in the past, to the hands of modern artists today, and into the digital future. This exhibition is proof that Damar Kurung is a living, dynamic, and continuously inspiring art form,” he said. Yani also expressed his deepest gratitude and highest appreciation to the entire committee, relevant agencies, artists, cultural figures, and the creative community who worked hard to realise this space and exhibition. He hopes that such collaboration will continue to be needed in building a progressive and sustainable cultural ecosystem in Gresik. “May this place bring blessings, become a driving force for a culture-based creative economy, and ignite our spirit to continue preserving our ancestral heritage. Enjoy the exhibition, and let us safeguard the cultural wealth of Gresik,” he concluded. Meanwhile, Committee Chairman Muhammad Anhar conveyed that the Damar Kurung Creative House is expected to become a creative epicentre that encourages the younger generation to preserve local cultural heritage while advancing a culture-based creative economy. He also expressed his hope that this place would inspire the youth of Gresik to continue creating, appreciating, and following in the footsteps of the region’s art maestros. Furthermore, it is intended to be a free platform for young people to collaborate, learn, share, and bring art to life. The event was also attended by Gresik Regional Secretary Achmad Washil Miftahul Rachman, Head of the Parekrafbudpora Agency Saifuddin Ghozali, senior artist and cultural figure Kris Adji, historical witnesses, cultural practitioners, creative economy actors, and the family of the late Damar Kurung maestro Mbah Masmundari.