Tubaba is not just an abbreviation for Tulang Bawang Barat. It also represents a value that the city, formed thirteen years ago, aspires to achieve. Through nemui-nyemah (hospitality towards guests), nengah-nyapur (ease of mingling within the community), and sakai sambayan (mutual cooperation). Migrants and local residents live together: meeting, gathering, and discussing the city as a shared residence. Tubaba is now building its future specifically with the characteristics of nemen (hard-working), nedes (resilient), nerimo (sincere), equal, simple, and sustainable. The manifestation of these philosophies is reflected in various contemporary architectures. Green spaces and the preservation of nature, such as the Ulluan Nughik Cultural City, Tiiyuh-Tiyuh Area, Pulung Kencana Market, Las Sengok, the Islamic Center Complex, and others. These spaces are not only functional as centers for meetings, information exchange, arts and cultural activities, grassroots economy, and recently as leading tourism packages. These spaces also grow to include the involvement of every community member interested in the ownership of spaces.

From the above, “self and space” was chosen as the theme for the 6th Tubaba Arts Festival to explore and reconnect the narratives of the city and citizenship. It invites all parties, both artists (art community) and spectators (citizens), to actively engage in dialogue to fill, create meaning, and enliven the urban space.

This Tubaba Arts Festival is envisioned as a trilogy, held from 2022, 2023, and ending in 2024 with the theme “self and space.” This festival affirms two things: the issues of self and space: the relationship between a person and the dwelling that mutually shapes and is shaped. The sub-theme for this year is “terrace of awareness”: the terrace, imagined as the foremost space of a house, is where the activities of introduction/encounter begin. Therefore, the terrace becomes the choice to start the festival – as an invitation to visit: to meet and chat in the celebration of the arts. The terrace of awareness is Tubaba’s effort to introduce all the art that has been crafted and cooked within the house of Tubaba Art School. It is then presented to the residents and festival guests, with the main menu being performances, exhibitions, film screenings, and workshops.