NEWS & EVENT

Roemah Martha Tilaar or RMT is not just a house inherit by DR. (H.C) Martha Tilaar that turned into a museum and tourism destination in Gombong, Kebumen. More precious than that, Roemah Martha Tilaar has become a public space for community, from literary community, local SME, to culture, to express their interest and hobby.  Here at Roemah Martha Tilaar, these communities gather to share, discus, and introduce culture and tradition of Indonesia, especially Gombong.

In one of events that has just held to celebrate Imlek, Roemah Martha Tilaar invited history and literary communities to gather, discuss and introducing Imlek meaning to the people from various parties around the place, from the members of the community, church, students, local entrepreneurs, to housewife. There are two agendas which are Introduction of Imlek Tradition that held on January 30, 2022, and Poetry Night “Pulih dalam Asa” held on February 5, 2022.

Roemah Martha Tilaar is a relic from the ancestor, a merchant from China who also a grandfather of DR. (H.C) Martha Tilaar named Liem Siaw Lam. So it’s not surprise if Roemah Martha Tilaar will always celebrate Imlek as a tradition. Held at the front terrace of the house, the Introduction of Imlek Tradition aims to introduce Imlek, including the meaning of Imlek itself and the dish.

Some facts of Imlek that shared that day were really interesting. We know that in Imlek people will hang out with their family, evidently, the basket cake that is an iconic cake during is representing a tight relationship with family and friends. And about the dish as well, the dish on the prayer table are like the prayer itself, it contains of hope and meaning. Like ‘apple’ (ping gue) which homophone with ‘safety’ (ping an) or ‘orange’ (ji zi) that homophone with ‘provision’ (ji), there is acculturation with local tradition there, just like sambal goreng or wajik cake that has specific shape.

This event also enliven with game, to move coffee bean using chopstick, and not to forget to taste spme delicious straits foods like kompyang bread and kembang tahu (soft tofu with ginger soup). The event hosted by Martha Tilaar Group team and the speaker Bagus Setiawan, a member of history community from Gombong, who known as a China culture’s specialist.

In collaboration with Rina Indriana and Opie, volunteer of RMT since 2017, as the co-organizer, the event Poetry Night “Pulih dalam Asa” also held in front terrace of Roemah Martha Tilaar, six days after the previous event. Peotry night aims to gather literati friends who vacuum during the pandemic, meanwhile the theme “Pulih dalam Asa” chosen to represent new hope in this New Year.

There were eight literati from Lisong community who brought their work and performed it in mini stage that day. They were Anom, Itha, Koes, Tetuko, Apri, Wildan, Amel, dan Nia. After this event, these friends agreed to hold poetry anthology and show at Roemah Martha Tilaar quarterly.

Once again, Roemah Martha Tilaar’s mission to be a place to preserve culture has been held great. Towards these cultural events, Roemah Martha Tilaar hopes young generation will always appreciate and love our local culture and tradition, which is the root of Indonesia’s people.