2024 Flobamoratas Festival: A Light Note from Maumere

Although he is light-skinned, that day his face looked even lighter, pale to be exact. He has been working tirelessly to prepare for a big party in Maumere, NTT. His efforts have taken a toll on his health, as he has lost 13 kilos in the last three months.

“Brian is currently on a diet,” said Mama Loreta, the parent of Brian Benedicto, the Chairman of the Committee for the 2024 Flobamoratas Festival (PRF) – an annual climate festival by VCA. Despite Mama Loreta’s words, some of his friends couldn’t help but laugh behind her back.

Another noteworthy figure is Imroatul Mukhlishoh, also known as Iim, who has been on Flores Island for over a month, traveling back and forth from Larantuka to Maumere on her old motorbike. Besides his slim posture, her weight has remained the same.

“It’s been more than a month since I haven’t returned to Jakarta. To Magelang (her parents’ house) it’s been three months. Usually, once a month I go to Magelang,” said Iim who is also a member of the PRF 2024 Committee.

Sherly Maran, responsible for logistics, was often seen using a paper fan to cool herself from the scorching 34 degrees Celsius heat of Maumere. Agnes Dau from the communications department had a harrowing experience as her group was involved in a car accident on the way to Maumere from Larantuka. Fortunately, they all escaped serious physical injuries. Nia Oy and Miu were almost unseen anywhere among the crowd. As the event coordinator, Nia probably spent two days bustling backstage and Miu was in front of her laptop preparing various communication designs for the event’s publication.

Nia should have been the MC during the public dialogue and reading of the Suara Bae dari Timur Manifesto held at the Sikka Regent’s Office, but something funny happened with Eka Putra Nggalu, also known as Gembul, while he was testing the microphone, drawing attention from the serious crowd. Yes, he and the Kahe Community are the organizers of the PRF 2024 series of events.

“Good morning,” said Gembul as he tried the microphone, unaware of the seriousness of the audience. All eyes were on him, so Brian had to signal to him to continue and Gembul proceeded to open the event. Standing in the middle of the large crowd of VCA Indonesia, among the Sato Sina art studio group who opened the event, and in front of the Acting Regent of Sikka, he was casually dressed in a blue T-shirt, sneakers, and three-quarter pants.

There are always funny or exciting stories behind the scenes of a big event—lasting memories to be shared with others.

 

Good Voices from the East

Despite any connotation of “east” Indonesia, the eastern part of Indonesia is known for its cultural diversity and stunning natural landscapes, particularly in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Culturally, the people of NTT have a strong connection with nature, inherited from their ancestors. An ability that has been adapted and innovated through time to respond to the various impacts of the climate crisis that has hit NTT.

“There are many climate actions and solutions developed in NTT. We want to announce these good initiatives to the public,” shared Brian at a press conference at the Sikka Regent’s Office, on September 26, 2024.

Brian emphasized that for VCA Indonesia, climate actions and solutions don’t have to be grand-scale projects. At the grassroots level, there have been numerous emerging actions and solutions to address the climate crisis. VCA Indonesia aims to promote these initiatives, one of them is through PRF.

“Through an arts and culture approach, we hope that the issue of climate change will be more easily understood by the wider community,” continued Brian.

***

As the evening approached, a row of tents on the left side of the main PRF stage always appeared busy. People were preparing various products to sell or exhibit.

One plate, consisting of three packages of sorghum ketupat, banana flower vegetables mixed with grated young coconut, smoked fish cuts, and chili sauce, was priced at IDR 25,000. The plate contained a variety of local foods that were filling and delicious. Some other food products from local agriculture were displayed on the table. Behind it, a large banner showing information about climate change alongside a row of documentary photos of individuals taking climate action.

In the next tent, there was a miniature depicting Muro, a tradition practiced by the people of Lembata to maintain the marine ecosystem. Several people were asking and discussing various climate action information displayed in front of the tent. One book caught a little attention, it was titled “Basic Module for Gender and Climate Change.”

“In Bajawa land, the soil elements are volcanic. This soil gives the coffee in Bajawa a different taste,” said a young man explaining to a potential coffee buyer.

In addition to several packages of coffee, various handicrafts, and other local food products were also available. Dozens of beautiful paintings were displayed in the area, depicting the interaction of local communities with nature.

In another corner, small children looked happy playing with a giant snakes and ladders game and some puzzles. These popular games contained pictures and stories about climate change, representing a small effort to introduce children to the topic. PRF aimed to familiarize children with the issue of climate change. A coloring competition was also held in another corner, emphasizing the importance of educating children from an early age about climate change, as they are the ones who will continue the actions and climate solutions currently being developed by VCA Indonesia.

The photo booth to the right of the PRF gate was busy with arriving visitors, and the whiteboard to the left was filled with scribbles from visitors discussing the importance of protecting nature. The sentences may have been simple, but they represented the expressions of visitors who were generally common people.

“The sea is not a trash can.”

“Be a solution, not pollution.”

“Share love with others, with nature, as far as you can.”

By around 7:00 pm, Maumere, which was usually quiet, became crowded on September 27-28, 2024. The number of people coming to PRF was increasing, and the main stage was opened. Each day was opened with a theater performance, including the Muro Theater. Various musicians entertained thousands of Maumere residents. In between singing, there were shouts and calls to protect nature, which were greeted with approval by visitors.

The Suara Bae dari Timur Manifesto resounded again, read by young local champions representing the VCA Indonesia coalition and representatives from various regions in NTT, in front of thousands of visitors. They conveyed various problems arising due to the climate crisis, while also voicing 15 recommendations.

“…… Encourage the formation of regulations at the level of laws that can holistically answer the problems of the climate crisis by prioritizing the substance and dimensions of climate justice, including recognition justice, distributive justice, procedural justice, and restorative justice, as well as gender justice.”

Suara Bae dari Timur successfully strengthened the voices of local communities through a series of events at PRF 2024. The Local Champion Camp was able to produce a manifesto, an important document containing VCA Indonesia’s stance on the climate crisis. Bringing this manifesto home to their respective regions to convey it to the local government.

In a dialogue with the Sikka Regency government, community leaders, Indigenous Peoples, coastal fisherfolks, local farmers, women, and youth who actively advocate for environmental issues, they directly conveyed various challenges and encouraged support from the government.

Importantly, PRF further strengthened the relationships between communities, emphasized commitment, and fostered deeper hopes for NTT’s ability to adapt and develop actions and solutions to the climate crisis.

***

 

At 3:30 am, three groups moved from Maumere to Jakarta. There was no chance to rest even though the main event of the closing of PRF 2024 had just ended an hour earlier. We left early to showcase the natural beauty of NTT, enjoying the morning views of Lake Kelimutu. Then we planned to move to Ende and fly back to the former capital of Indonesia.

However, nature cannot be accurately predicted by humans. Strong winds brought hot clouds from the active Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki to Ende. Consequently, Ende Airport was closed for an unknown period. Flights from the nearest airport in Bajawa were full. The most realistic option was to fly from Labuan Bajo, which could be reached by a 12-hour non-stop land journey.

“There is no other choice. The safest option is to go to Bajo. We can stop overnight in Ruteng, it’s a cool place. The next day in Bajo, we can relax a little on the beach before going to the airport,” said Arti, Program Manager of VCA Indonesia – Yayasan Humanis.

Arti’s co-worker, Alfa, responded to the plan with a smile. “Okay, let’s explore Flores Island,” he muttered.

Trisa looked unenthusiastic and unconcerned. She appeared dizzy and restless. Dizzy from having to rearrange the trip and restless from having to leave her one-year-old child for longer.

The overland journey began. It seemed like Flores didn’t want the group from Jakarta to leave too quickly. We drove along the coast, cut through the curves of the mountains, and passed through the green expanse of rice fields. “Forced” to enjoy the nature of Flores.

“I’ve been asleep, awake, asleep, awake, and we’re still on the same road,” joked Trisa, causing laughter in the car.