Jakarta (ANTARA) - At least 150 communities across Indonesia have voiced their support for a proposal to hold National Kebaya Day as part of an effort to preserve the country's traditional clothing.

Head of the National Kebaya Day Designation Proposal Team Lana T. Koentjoro informed here on Monday that on June 4, 2022, her team, along with Solo City Deputy Mayor Teguh Prakosa and community leaders, signed a document to show their support for the proposed day and took out a Kebaya parade.

"We also did a safari (tour) and activities to several cities in and outside Java to garner support," Koentjoro said in a statement issued here on Monday.

After the Kebaya Nusantara Parade in Solo, Samarinda, East Kalimantan, also expressed its support for the proposal, she said.

According to her, at least 150 communities from Yogyakarta, Bali, Manado, and other regions are supporting the designation of National Kebaya Day.

The campaigns for holding National Kebaya Day have included a Car Free Day (CFD), with Kebaya lovers joining the activity in Jakarta on June 19, she said.

This is proof of Indonesians' love for heritage clothing, Koentjoro, who is also the chairwoman of Advanced Indonesian Women (PIM), added. "I am proud and appreciate the Kebaya activities at CFD," she remarked.

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"This is also a form of support for the National Kebaya Day Designation Proposal Team and 'Kebaya towards UNESCO,’ which is being prepared by us," she said.

Talking about the proposal, she said an academic study by experts is awaited to set the commemoration date, which will then be proposed to the government, as the designation of the day will require a historical basis.

In Java, West Sumatra, Manado (North Sulawesi), and Maluku, women wear kebaya by adjusting it to local creativity, Koentjoro noted.

"That is why, us, which consist of hundreds of communities are moved to preserve kebaya and propose to the government to establish National Kebaya Day such as Batik (National Day)," she said.

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Translator: Subagyo, Kenzu T
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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