TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The existence of traditional umbrellas is now getting marginalized. Not many people still have the idea about what the paper umbrellas are like despite its contribution to the assimiliation of cultures, rituals, and creativity.
In light of this condition, the Tourism Ministry and Surakarta Government are preparing to hold the Indonesia Umbrella Festival on November 28 to 30, 2014.
Heru Prasetya, the person in charge for the event, promised that the umbrellas will be no ordinary ones used for covering under the rain.
“It is an umbrella that are used in traditional ceremonies,” said Heru, on Sunday when he introduced the event in Sriwedari, Surakarta.
According to Heru, the traditional umbrella industry, like in Klaten and Tasikmalaya, are continue to decreases.
“There is a creative side in the making of the traditional umbrella,” Heru added.
In the festival, government will also bring in the umbrella makers from Klaten, Tasikmalaya, Yogyakarta, Bali and Makassar. During the event, visitors will be offered with umbrella art performances, knowledge on how to make theumbrella, how to market it, umbrella paintings, and installation art.
Heru believes that this industry will take back its glorious days by engaging young generation to participate in the preservation. Back in the past, during the Dutch colonialism, the traditional umbrellas are used by the Dutch ladies for accessories in addition to cover themselves from the heat of sunrays.
UKKY PRIMARTANTYO
