National Batik Day 2024: Preservation Of Cultural Heritage Is In The Hands Of The Young Generation

Gita Pratama Kartasasmita, chairman of the Indonesian Batik Foundation, expressed optimism that the younger generation could continue their batik cultural heritage on the 2024 National Batik Day in Jakarta, Wednesday 2/10/2024 (VOI/Dinno).

JAKARTA - National Batik Day (HBN) can be an important moment aimed at maintaining identity and strengthening a sense of togetherness through the unique and distinctive legacy of Indonesian batik culture.

This mission was carried by the Indonesian Batik Foundation (YBI) through a series of event themed 'Bangga Berbatik' which was held from 2 to 6 October.

Generation Z is now the main focus in efforts to expand the popularity of batik, given their potential creativity and innovation power as the nation's next generation.

The chairman of YBI, Gita Pratama Kartasasmita, said that Generation Z tends to like batik motifs and colors that are more modern and not rigid.

"Batik can be used anywhere, whether to go to the beach, restaurants, cafes, or when meeting friends. Even for meetings, batik is still suitable. The motifs and colors are also very interesting," said Gita Pratama Kartasasmita in a statement in Jakarta, Wednesday (2/10/2024).

He is optimistic that the younger generation will continue to preserve the tradition of using batik, so that batik usage relays will continue in the next generation.

Young people, he continued, have an important role in maintaining the sustainability of this cultural heritage as part of the nation's high-value culture.

"I believe batik can continue to develop while maintaining traditional motifs that have become our trademark," added Gita.

This year, YBI has designated Batik Gedog Tuban as the icon of the 2024 HBN, because batik from Tuban, East Java is threatened with extinction and needs to be preserved.

"The Tuban batik is very special because in that area the cotton tree grows and produces cotton with a typical white and brown color. After weaving it with a tool that produces a 'edok' sound, the cloth is then batik, so it is called Batik Gedog Tuban," he explained.

During the five days of the 'Bandga Berbatik' event, which is also supported by the Directorate General of Small, Medium, and Multifarious Industries (Ditjen IKMA) of the Ministry of Industry, various activities were held.

Among them are music events, educational exhibitions, fashion shows, talk shows about sociopreneurs, and SME bazaars held at the Kota Kasablanka Mall, South Jakarta.

"Visitors can also enjoy an interactive experience in the form of batik animations that have received a Geographical Indication Certificate (IG) from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, such as batik nitik, besurek batik, compact batik, lokalongan batik sarong, and latik lasem," said Gita.

The peak event in the form of Batik Fun Run and Walk Day will be held at Plaza Sudirman, Gelora Bung Karno (GBK), Jakarta, as part of other activities for the younger generation as an effort to preserve batik.

For information, after batik was recognized by UNESCO as Indonesia's intangible cultural heritage on September 30, 2009, the government designated October 2 as National Batik Day. YBI also regularly commemorates HBN with various events involving the wider community. At the end of October, YBI will also celebrate its 30th anniversary.