Car Free Day at Taman Bungkul Surabaya: A Culture and Culinary Delights

Surabaya– Taman Bungkul was abuzz with excitement as the Car Free Day event unfolded,
bringing together the vibrant community of Surabaya and international students from
Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya (Unusa) and Genus’ Volunteer (9/6). The event,
organized by the Global Engagement office of Unusa, aimed to introduce Indonesian street
food to the international students while promoting cultural exchange.
Stalls lined the pathways of Taman Bungkul, offering a wide array of Indonesian street foods
such as satay, nasi goreng, bakso, and es cendol. The international students eagerly sampled
these local delicacies, guided by the enthusiastic Genus volunteers who shared insights into
the cultural significance and ingredients of each dish.
Wiwik Afridah, the head of Global Engagement at Unusa, expressed his delight at the turnout
and the success of the event. "Our goal is to create meaningful cultural exchanges and to give
our international students a deeper understanding of Indonesian culture. Food is a universal
language, and what better way to introduce them to Indonesia than through our rich and
diverse culinary heritage?"
The event also featured cultural performances by citizen, including traditional dance and
music, which captivated the audience and provided a glimpse into Indonesia's artistic
traditions. Participants had the opportunity to join in some of the performances, adding to the
interactive and immersive experience.
International students, hailing from Timor Leste and Philippines, shared their excitement and
appreciation for the event. Vandy from Philipines said, "This is an incredible experience. The
food is amazing, and I love learning about the different flavors and traditions. The volunteers
have been so welcoming and informative."
The Car Free Day event at Taman Bungkul not only highlighted the culinary richness of
Indonesia but also underscored the importance of community and environmental
sustainability. With no cars allowed, participants enjoyed a pollution-free environment,
promoting the benefits of a cleaner and healthier lifestyle.
Genus, looks forward to organizing more such events in the future, continuing their mission
of promoting global harmony and cultural exchange.