Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked all Indonesians to be proud of batik, as it is the nation's cultural heritage. "Indonesians should be grateful to have batik, which is not only an extraordinary work of art but is the world's intangible cultural heritage with symbolism, techniques, and culture that is stuck with Indonesia," he said at the "Istana Berbatik" event in the courtyard of the Merdeka Palace here on Sunday.

At the event organized by the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry to commemorate National Batik Day, which falls on October 2, the President invited the people to actively preserve and develop batik.

Istana Berbatik is a fashion show that displays a variety of batik in the archipelago, which is full of philosophical meaning and timeless beauty, he said.

Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy and chair of the event committee, Angela Tanoesoedibjo, said that through the fashion show, the public can see that batik has been part of Indonesians' lives.

"In this show, we see how batik has become part of the people's lives from time to time, generation to generation, and part of Indonesian cultural diplomacy," she said.

The fashion show on the 150-meter stage with the background of the Merdeka Palace featured selected batik from regions across the country, created by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) mentored by Bank Indonesia and BRI and by Indonesian fashion designers.

The event had 503 models that included representatives from kingdoms, state agencies, ambassadors, ministers, and public figures.

Some four thousand guests attended the event, which was enlivened by a dance performance and a batik exhibition as support for the nation's craftwork.


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Translator: Yashinta P, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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