Indonesian indigo batik went on display for the Swedish and Latvian public recently in a string of events held by the Embassy of The Republic of Indonesia on May 14 in Stockholm and May 17 in Riga, Latvia. The events themed “The Colors of Indonesia: From Nature to Fashion” consist of exhibitions, workshops and fashion shows of naturally-colored batik.
Communications, social and cultural counselor of the Indonesian embassy in Stockholm, Ernest Hadinoto, said to Antara News Agency on Thursday that the collection belonged to Galeri Batik Jawa (Javanese Batik Gallery), Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Indonesian ambassador to Sweden and Latvia, Bagas Hapsoro, said batik was a part of Indonesia’s culture and tradition, which is passed along from generation to generation. He also added that the batik displayed in the exhibition was different because it was colored with eco-friendly natural coloring from the Indigofera tinctoria plant.
The batik-making process also supports the women's empowerment movement, as it involves several Yogyakarta women and also opens up job opportunities.
Other activities included batik workshops, in which participants were encouraged to practice the basic techniques of batik-making, which involve applying wax to batik patterns on cloth.
The fashion show was attended by representatives of the Swedish king and queen, fashion and textile industry players in Sweden, dignitaries and foreign diplomats, partners of the Indonesian embassy, business people, Sahabat Indonesia, as well as representatives from the Indonesian diaspora in Sweden and Latvia.
A performance of Javanese dance sesonderan from the Stockholm KBRI Women’s Association (Dharma Wanita KBRI) and an Indonesian culinary and coffee presentation were also featured as part of the events in both locations.
Source : The Jakarta Post
