"Happy National Batik Day 2019 and thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for preserving and producing the nation's valuable works," Jokowi affirmed while attending a function to commemorate National Batik Day themed "Making batik for the country" held at the Mangkunegaran Palace here on Wednesday.
"We were proud when 10 years back, the UNESCO inscribed batik as a world cultural heritage from Indonesia. We are obliged to keep the trust and to maintain and develop batik creativity. Batik growth has progressed rapidly. Batik has been massively used and has made its presence felt in the international fashion arena," Jokowi remarked.
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Hence, on the occasion of National Batik Day, Jokowi elicited the public’s commitment to promoting Indonesian batik and encouraged the younger generation to help preserve batik.
Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto, Minister/State Secretary Pratikno, Chairman of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) Wimboh Santoso, Deputy Foreign Minister A. M. Fachir, Mufidah Jusuf Kalla, and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo also attended the function.
Jokowi and First Lady Iriana, both arrived at the function in batik clothing.
The function was organized by the Indonesian Batik Foundation (YBI) to celebrate the recognition of batik as a UNESCO world cultural heritage. Since 2009, Indonesia has observed October 2 as National Batik Day on yearly basis.
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Indonesia’s batik was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during a meeting in the United Arab Emirates on September 30, 2009.
Jultin Ginandjar Kartasasmita, the YBI chairperson, affirmed that batik is an asset of Indonesia and the annual commemoration of National Batik Day strove to facilitate the preservation and promotion of batik as well as boost the country's batik industry.
On the occasion, the foundation launched a book and e-book on batik. The book comes equipped with augmented reality technology to enable readers to engage in interactive activity while perusing through it.
The National Batik Day celebrations encompassed a talk show on batik, fashion show, culinary bazaar, and people's batik market. EDITED BY INE
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Translator: Hanni Sofia, Fardah
Editor: Azizah Fitriyanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
