Participants pose with the newly published book. Photo/Fahrizal
After a year-long process of mentoring, writing, and editing, a book produced through the Technical Guidance Program for a Writing Incubator Based on Local Cultural Content has officially been released.
The launch, combined with a public book discussion, was held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Theodolit Hall of the Blitar Regency Public Works and Spatial Planning Office (PUPR). The event marked a milestone for the first cohort of the writing incubation program organized by the Blitar Regency Office of Library and Archives (Dispusip).
The program ran from 8:00 a.m. to noon local time, bringing together a broad cross-section of the local literacy ecosystem—cultural activists, educators, students, and community representatives from across Blitar Regency.
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The event was formally opened by Dr. Jumali, S.Pd., M.AP, Head of Dispusip Blitar Regency, who underscored the importance of local literacy as a foundation for shaping cultural identity.
In his remarks, Jumali described the writing incubator as a concrete step by the local government to create an inclusive creative space for the community.
“We once documented local cocoa from Modangan, which no longer exists today—even though Blitar’s chocolate used to be exported to Europe,” he recalled, highlighting the urgency of cultural documentation.
He expressed hope that the program would inspire more writers to record and preserve Blitar’s cultural heritage.
Book Discussion: Academic and Practitioner Perspectives
The core session of the event featured a critical discussion of the book led by Bambang Prakoso, a lecturer at Wijaya Kusuma University and Chair of the East Java Reading Culture Movement (GPMB).
Bambang offered a comprehensive analysis of the book, examining its thematic diversity, writing styles, and relevance to the documentation of local culture. He noted that the collected manuscripts reflect a growing awareness among participants of the importance of preserving regional history and traditions.
The works span a wide range of topics, from historical sites and traditional cuisine to local legends, arts, and community practices.
“The collection would be even stronger if the writings were grouped thematically—culinary, history, and so on,” Bambang suggested.
Also contributing to the discussion was Yanu Aribowo, a senior writer and journalist, who emphasized the need for consistency in developing an author’s voice. He stressed the importance of solid research and engaging storytelling, particularly to attract younger readers.
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“National figures have been written about extensively. Local figures, much less so,” Yanu said.
The discussion was moderated by Ahmad Fahrizal Aziz, who guided the conversation toward the participants’ creative processes throughout the incubation program, which began in early 2025.
Participants from Schools, Universities, and Communities
Attendees included selected writers, teachers, and students from SMAN Talun, SMKN Nglegok, SMK PGRI Wlingi, SMK IT Al Kautsar, as well as students from Balitar Islamic University (Unisba).
The diverse mix of ages and backgrounds demonstrated the program’s broad reach, extending beyond professional writers to grassroots literacy communities.
Participants shared their experiences from the multi-stage training process, which ran from February to September 2025. Many said this was their first time producing a piece of writing under intensive mentorship—starting from conceptual workshops and outlining, to multiple rounds of revision guided by mentors.
About the Local Culture–Based Writing Incubator Program
The local content writing incubator is part of the Social Inclusion–Based Library Transformation Program (TPBIS), a national initiative adapted to local needs.
In Blitar Regency, the program carried the overarching theme “About Blitar,” encouraging residents to write about traditions, history, cuisine, tourism destinations, and culture-based creative economic opportunities.
The first incubation phase began on February 27, 2025, focusing on cultural writing and journalistic techniques. Participants were given one month to produce popular nonfiction pieces, which entered a review process on April 10, 2025.
The program was mentored by Yanu Aribowo, Dewi Sulistya K, and Ahmad Fahrizal Aziz, and coordinated by Celvia Dian, the program officer.
Following revisions, Dispusip announced the selected works in May 2025. A total of 32 pieces were deemed publishable and compiled into a single volume. Beyond cultural narratives, several works also highlight local economic potential, including an essay on Nglegok District as an emerging hub for historical and culinary tourism.
The event concluded with a shared hope that similar initiatives would continue in the future. Participants, educators, and speakers agreed that documenting local culture is a long-term literacy investment—one that must be safeguarded across generations. []
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