Banda Aceh, 26 Maret 2026 –
The Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC) of Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), in collaboration with CSEAS Kyoto University, the Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Disaster Science, the Center for Social and Cultural Research (PRISB) USK, and the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia (ANRI), officially launched the book MemoryGraph. The event took place at the Auditorium Dr. Ir. M. Ridha, M.Eng, TDMRC USK, Darussalam, Banda Aceh.
The launch of this book is part of TDMRC’s commitment to strengthening the role of collective memory as a crucial foundation for building community resilience to disasters. MemoryGraph was developed as a visual and participatory approach that integrates landscape, memory, and community engagement in documenting changes in post-disaster affected areas.
Director of TDMRC USK, Prof. Syamsidik
The Director of TDMRC USK, Prof. Dr. Syamsidik, M.Eng, emphasized that preserving disaster memory is a critical aspect in addressing social changes across generations. According to him, the tendency of communities to gradually forget major disaster events over time poses a challenge in building a sustainable safety culture.
Vice Rector I USK, Prof. Agussabti
The book was officially launched by the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of USK, Prof. Dr. Ir. Agussabti, M.Si, representing the Rector of USK, Prof. Mirza Tabrani. MemoryGraph is the result of collaboration among Yoshimi Nishi, Alfi Rahman, Rizanna Rosemary, Eka Husnul Hidayati, Rizka Puspitasari, and Arie Julianda, and was edited by Yarmen Dinamika from Harian Serambi Indonesia.
In his remarks, Prof. Agussabti expressed appreciation for the realization of this international collaboration between TDMRC, researchers in Aceh, and CSEAS Kyoto University. This collaboration is seen as a strategic step in strengthening disaster research and practices through cross-country cooperation.
The MemoryGraph book is the result of a long series of field experiences, ranging from the Aceh Tsunami Mobile Museum initiative, the development of the memory hunting method, to the emergence of documentation concepts based on repeat photography. This approach places communities as key actors through visual practices using photography to re-document locations with historical and emotional significance.
One of the authors, Dr. Alfi Rahman, explained that MemoryGraph stems from reflections on post-disaster landscape changes that are often not accompanied by efforts to preserve collective memory. He emphasized that disasters impact not only physical aspects but also have the potential to erase memories attached to a place.
A similar view was expressed by Prof. Yoshimi Nishi, PhD, who highlighted the importance of understanding memory as part of people’s lived experiences, not merely as formal archives. According to him, MemoryGraph serves as a tool to capture this dimension more comprehensively.
From the perspective of field implementation, TDMRC researcher Rizka Puspitasari noted that community memories are often embedded in simple narratives that risk fading if not properly documented. Therefore, the MemoryGraph approach is considered capable of bridging and preserving these experiences in meaningful ways.
Meanwhile, from an archival perspective, Eka Husnul Hidayati from the Tsunami Static Archives Center of ANRI emphasized the importance of archives as a bridge between the past, present, and future. The MemoryGraph approach is seen as a way to bring archives to life through direct community involvement.
From a literacy perspective, Yarmen Dinamika stated that a visual approach based on photography is highly relevant to current media developments and can encourage public participation, including in citizen journalism practices.
Head of Arsip Nasional Republik Indonesia (ANRI), Dr. Mego Pinandito
The Head of ANRI, Dr. Mego Pinandito, M.Eng, also emphasized institutional support for broader utilization of disaster archives. He stated that archives function not only as documentation but also as a source of learning to build a better future.
As an academic product, the MemoryGraph book is expected to be used as a learning resource in higher education, research, and community service activities through an experiential learning approach.
The launch event was attended by various stakeholders, including academics, researchers, government representatives, literacy communities, teachers, students, as well as national and international partners. The discussion, which lasted approximately three hours, highlighted the importance of preserving memory as part of efforts to build sustainable community resilience.
