"PKN collects discourses on social problems related to culture that need to be voiced and discussed at the congress," public relations staff at the ministry's Directorate General of Culture, Darmawati, said here on Saturday.
Themed "Caring for the Earth, Caring for Culture," the PKN highlighted problems such as the fading culture of the Muara Kuin Floating Market, which is closely related to the founding of the Banjar Kingdom.
Darmawati informed that in the mid-16th century, Sultan Suriansyah founded a kingdom on the banks of the Kuin and Barito Rivers, which became the precursor of Banjarmasin City. Trade activities on the banks of the river grew rapidly.
Given its position at the meeting point of several tributaries, the market developed naturally. Besides the Kuin people, the merchants who traded there came from Tamban, Anjir, Alalak, and Berangas.
With the passage of time, the good practices built through the Kuin Floating Market have begun shrinking, as evidenced by the missing transactional trade and barter of trade commodities, as well as environmental damage.
Darmawati said market visitors have moved from the river market to the land market along the river banks.
Traders and consumers at Muara Kuin Floating Market ride boats to carry and buy and sell vegetables and food crops from villages along the Barito River and its tributaries.
As a national celebration held by the ministry, Darmawati said, the PKN 2023 aims to introduce good cultural practices through a forum involving environmental elements, cultural activists, and the community.
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Translator: Andi F, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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