Sidan Woven Fabric Will Represent Indonesia At UNESCO Award

JAKARTA - After winning first place in the textile category and the Best of the Best award at the 2022 Inacraft Award, Sidan woven fabric originating from the RI-Malaysia border area of Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan is now being prepared to represent Indonesia at the UNESCO Award at the international level.

"This is good news for all of us, Sidan woven cloth will represent Indonesia to be contested at the UNESCO Award," said Head of the Regional National Crafts Council (Dekranasda) Kapuas Hulu Angeline Fremalco, during a friendly meeting with Sidan weaving craftsmen, in Putussibau, Kapuas Hulu, as reported by Antara, Wednesday, April 6th.

Angeline said that the Best of the Best award at the 2022 Inacraft Award, in Jakarta recently, was an extraordinary achievement, which could make the region proud and explore the potential of handicrafts in Kapuas Hulu.

Moreover, according to him, Sidan Kapuas Hulu woven fabric will again be contested at the international level in the UNESCO Award, an achievement and pride for the entire Kapuas Hulu community.

According to Angeline, this achievement cannot be separated from the support from the Kapuas Hulu Regency Government which has given attention to the craftsmen in Kapuas Hulu.

"Without the support of all parties, of course we cannot be competitive and we can prove that, Sidan woven fabrics will represent Indonesia at the international level," said Angeline.

Angeline told that Sidan's woven fabric was able to get an award at the Inacraft Award because it was interesting and used natural materials.

"Kian Weaving Sidan has a characteristic, has an appeal and is indeed made from natural ingredients from plants on the island of Kalimantan, especially in Kapuas Hulu Regency," he said.

He also said that Kapuas Hulu is rich in various potential crafts, not only Sidan woven fabrics, there are many other crafts that are no less interesting.

"For the craftsmen, never give up, keep on being creative, develop yourself and innovate," asked Angeline.

Angeline as Chair of the Dekranasda Kapuas Hulu also gave an award or reward to a group of Sidan Weaving craftsmen "Bunga Ngerembai" who had won the Best of the Best award at the 2022 Inacraft Award.

Meanwhile, the Regent of Kapuas Hulu, Fransiskus Diaan, said that the local government and the Dekranasda of Kapuas Hulu really appreciate and are proud of what the craftsmen in Kapuas Hulu Regency have done.

According to him, Sidan woven fabric being able to get first place in the textile category and Kapuas Hulu getting the Best of the Best award is not an easy thing, of course it is thanks to the struggle of the craftsmen by displaying very proud works.

"We received an extraordinary title and of course this is not easy for us to wear, because with this title Kapuas Hulu in the future must be ready to make new breakthroughs and innovations in the craft sector," said Fransiskus.

He asked that in the future, weavers should be more prepared, maintain quality and provide stock of woven fabrics, due to the increasing demand.

Fransiskus also said that the local government provides support not only in terms of budget support, but will help find market share.

"A simple step we can take is to love local products, use these handicrafts, besides that I have met with Alfamart and Indomaret so that local handicrafts can enter their stores," he said.