The Impact of Suramadu Bridge on the Creative Economy in Madura
It feels strange when Madura is more famously referred to as an island when it is a regency that is still part of the East Java provincial government. Its proximity to Surabaya does not necessarily make Madura "closer" to the metropolitan city. Madura seems isolated and different from other regions in East Java because it is separated by the Madura Strait.
The separation of Madura also impacts its economic conditions and the welfare of its people. The East Java provincial government acknowledges this, stating that Madura's per capita income is still relatively low compared to other regions.
Suramadu Bridge and New Economic Hopes
In response to these concerns, the idea of building the Suramadu Bridge seems to be the key to "embracing" Madura Island. Thanks to the construction of this bridge, Madura now has a connection. Traffic flow has become smooth, urbanization growth in Surabaya is expected to decrease, allowing for a more balanced welfare for the people, and the distribution of logistics to Madura is no longer hampered as the travel time from Surabaya to Madura is now only ten minutes instead of the previous half hour.
As the most luxurious bridge with a construction cost of over five trillion rupiah, the Suramadu Bridge certainly has its own appeal to the local community. Moreover, the Suramadu Bridge is 5,348 meters long and is recorded as the longest bridge in Indonesia by the Indonesian Record Museum (MURI).
Built over a period of more than seven years, the Suramadu Bridge looks magnificent. Since its inauguration in June 2009, many people have made the bridge a spot for selfies. Thanks to the photos that spread on social media, many people from outside the city have become curious and visited. As a result, the Suramadu Bridge has become a tourist attraction for visitors.
Read also: 5 facts about the Suramadu Bridge
Eight years after its inauguration, the government designated the area near the Suramadu Bridge as a place to hold festivals. The Suramadu Festival was first held on May 21, 2017. This festival, initiated by the youth of Madura, aims to introduce Madura's culture to the wider community while also boosting Madura's economy.
Madura United in Arts and Culture Festival
The festival titled "Madura United in Arts and Culture" is planned to become an annual event. One of the many activities at the Suramadu Festival is sports, specifically a ten-kilometer marathon race called Fun Run.
Known as a region with a high Muslim population, the festival also features music performances supported by several Islamic boarding schools in Madura. The music performed includes hadroh and nasyid.
What is most unique about the Suramadu Festival is the display of the winners of the cow racing (karapan sapi). Cow racing is indeed one of the famous cultures in Madura. Not only cow racing, but performances such as Ghul Ghul music, Topeng Gethak dance, Madura batik bazaar, and typical Madura cuisine are also present at the festival.
For tourists from outside the city, the Suramadu Festival is certainly a rich festival as they are treated to cultures, arts, and cuisines that they could not previously encounter directly.
Not only the Suramadu Festival is held annually, but in May 2018, another festival was organized that required the Suramadu Bridge to be closed to traffic for seven hours. This festival was titled "Millennial Road Safety Festival." The event aimed to campaign on how to drive safely.
Wow, isn't it exciting, friends? The Suramadu Bridge has proven to enhance the growth of the creative economy in the Madura region, so it is no longer lagging behind other areas in East Java. Let's go there when it's safe from the pandemic!
Author: Nisa Maulan Shofa
