Bantul, Gatra.com – The History of Java Museum takes a unique approach as a tourist destination by showcasing collections related to the history of Java. To attract visitors, the museum, located at Jalan Parangtritis Km 5.5, Bangunharjo, Sewon, Bantul, offers themed attractions that follow the celebrations and events both in Indonesia and around the world.
Elly T. Halsamer, CEO of Marcom D’Topeng Kingdom Group, which manages the museum, said that themed attractions will also be held to celebrate Chinese New Year (Imlek) on January 25, 2020. She mentioned that the museum will be filled with lanterns, and guides will be dressed in red.
During the Chinese New Year celebration, visitors will have the chance to win prizes such as vouchers, which can be drawn from the angpao tree displayed in the museum. “The prizes will vary, from free tickets to merchandise,” she said on Friday (January 17).
This type of attraction is expected to draw visitors, similar to how the museum celebrated Halloween in mid-October 2019.
During that event, while listening to the guides explain the museum’s collections, visitors were startled by the sounds of screams and cries coming from the museum’s hallway.
After that, a ‘ghost’ appeared from the hallway, causing visitors to scream in hysteria. Of course, the ‘ghost’ was a museum staff member wearing a costume. The ghost then handed out candies and was happy to take selfies with the visitors.
A different atmosphere was also experienced by visitors during the Christmas celebration in December 2019. At that time, staff dressed as Santa Claus and wayang characters handed out candies and chocolates, providing entertainment for the visitors.
Elly stated that the museum prepared this concept to make the museum more engaging for the millennial generation. “It’s time for museums to be more trendy and understand the psychology of their visitors,” she said.
According to her, a museum should not only showcase collections, but also be supported by advanced technology. “With digital services, museums will make visitors feel more comfortable and stay longer,” she added.
Ki Bambang Widodo, the Director of Public Relations at the History of Java Museum Yogyakarta, added that visitors will have a different experience through these thematic programs. “Visitors won’t get bored easily because they’ll have a fun experience. They are engaged with all their senses, like sight, hearing, and more,” he explained.
The museum, which has been operating since 2018, houses hundreds of prehistoric artifacts and ancient kingdom collections, ranging from Majapahit, Demak Bintara, Cirebon, Tarumanegara, to Mataram Islam. With digital touches, the museum is equipped with Augmented Reality technology, video mapping, and theater facilities.
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