TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In commemoration of National Batik Day on October 2, the Istana Berbatik fashion show will exhibit collections of batik from seven Nusantara kingdoms with the concept of the splendor of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

"We invite seven kingdoms, among others, from Solo, Yogyakarta, Sumenep, Gowa, and Cirebon. They will display their batik collections," said the president director of Jakarta Experience Board Landi Rizaldi during the rehearsal of Istana Berbatik at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, on Friday night, September 29, 2023.

According to Landi, the event held by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is part of the 2023 National Batik Day which will be focused at the courtyard of Merdeka Palace Jakarta on Sunday, October 1.

"This event is organized to commemorate Batik Day which falls on October 2. But since that day will be on Monday, so, we move it (the event) to Sunday," he said, adding that since it adopted the concept of street fashion it would be held in the courtyard of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

"We want to show the splendor of the palace, so there are lots of lights decorated and we use LEDs for the catwalk," he said.

The organizers divided the fashion show participants into nine groups, each displaying Indonesian batik. Apart from presenting models from top state officials, there would also be celebrities, social activists, and sportsmen.

In addition to the fashion show, Istana Berbatik would present a lineup of artists to enliven the entertainment session. They include singer Sri Rossa Roslaina Handiyani, Fadli from Padi Reborn, and others.

Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry official Nia Niscaya in her statement said that the Istana Berbatik show is held to promote batik to the international stage as a national identity.

She said that batik is an Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTb) belonging to Indonesia which was recognized at the UNESCO session in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates through the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguard of the Intangible Cultural Heritage session on October 2, 2009.

Meanwhile, Acting Director of National and International Events at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Ni Komang Ayu Astiti, said that the activity would be attended by President Joko Widodo and the First Lady, Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia Ma'ruf Amin and Mrs, the Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the Advanced Indonesian Cabinet, Ambassadors from friendly countries, and the Royal Families.

Antara

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