Klojen (malangkota.go.id) – The Mayor of Malang, Wahyu Hidayat, appreciated the implementation of the 2025 Brawijaya Tosan Aji Fest which was held at the Samantha Krida Building, Brawijaya University, Malang, Saturday (19/4/2025).
In his speech, Wahyu Hidayat said that Brawijaya Tosan Aji Fest 2025 was an extraordinary step in efforts to preserve the nation's culture, especially the keris cultural heritage that has been recognized by UNESCO.
"This activity is a good collaboration between the Indonesian Ministry of Culture, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Brawijaya University, and the Directorate General of Cultural and Tradition Protection. On behalf of the Malang City Government, we greatly appreciate the holding of this event. Hopefully it will be an inspiration in the development of culture in Malang City," said Wahyu.
He added that this activity is concrete evidence in realizing the preservation of the nation's culture. This event is considered an important media in developing a cultural ecosystem based on noble works. "This is real evidence that cultural heritage such as keris which has been recognized by the world, is able to continue to live and be preserved and loved by all Indonesian people," he added.
The number one person in the Malang City Government also said that his party was proud of the implementation of Brawijaya Tosan Aji Fest 2025, which is expected to be a stimulant in the tourism sector. "We fully support the implementation of this event so that it will be more successful and bring pride to the City of Malang," he said.
Wahyu also said that keris is not just a relic of the past, but also a bridge across cultures and generations, connecting the past, present, and future. "Malang City feels very honored to host an international event that is also attended by cultural actors, academics, communities, and delegations from various countries," he said.
Positive impacts were also felt by many local UMKM, culinary, and art actors involved in this event. This, according to Wahyu, reflects the pentahelix synergy between the government, society, academics, business actors, and the media for the progress of Malang City.
Meanwhile, the President Director of PT Brawijaya Multi Usaha (BMU) UB, Dr. Edi Purwanto, explained that Brawijaya Tosan Aji Fest 2025 was held for three days, from April 18 to 20, 2025. This event highlights the cultural heritage of the keris through a scientific approach, involving cultural communities, academics, the community, and support from the Malang City Government. "The purpose of this activity is to introduce and preserve the culture and local wisdom of the archipelago to the community as a whole," explained Edi.
The series of events in the Brawijaya Tosan Aji Fest 2025 include a keris exhibition, Nusantara tosan aji exchange, international seminars, keris forging workshops, Brawijayan character talk shows, Reog Brawijayan, contemporary puppet shows, cultural fashion shows, delivery of heirloom keris, awards for Nusantara keris people, and the launch of books about keris. (cah/yn)
