Jokowi And Iriana Attend The Peak Of The National Kebaya Day In Jakarta

The peak of the National Kebaya Day event will be held at Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday (24/7/2024). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and First Lady Iriana attended the peak event of National Kebaya Day at Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 24.

Wearing brown and white batik, President Jokowi was present accompanied by Mrs. Iriana who wore a blue kebaya made from fire.

At the peak of National Kebaya Day, the President together with Mrs. Iriana and the audience watched the Indonesian kebaya exhibition demonstrated by a number of public figures, including Widyawati, Prilly Latuconsina, and Syifa Hadju.

The event participants were entertained by the appearances of a number of singers, including Sundari Soekotjo and Andien Aisyah, Yuni Shara, Rieka Roeslan, Nina Tamam, and Iga Mawarni who were members of the vocal group 5 Women.

Chairman of the Indonesian Women's Congress (Kowani) Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo said the commemoration of National Kebaya Day was held for the first time this year after the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 19 of 2023 concerning National Kebaya Day.

Carrying the theme "Lestarikan Budaya with Proudly Berkebaya", the event was attended by around nine thousand women from all regions in Indonesia.

"The National Kebaya Day aims to introduce and echo the kebaya as part and history of the struggle of Indonesian women, increase the form of love, be proud of the identity of the nation and homeland," he said.

The presence of President Jokowi and Mrs. Iriana is considered meaningful for all Indonesian women because they can be an example as well as strengthen a joint commitment to protect and preserve the kebaya as one of the nation's cultural assets.

Moreover, he said, the public is currently waiting for the UN Agency's decision on Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) related to the approval of the kebaya as an intangible world cultural heritage from Indonesia and other countries in the Southeast Asia region, so that the President's presence can strengthen the position of the kebaya itself.

According to him, kebaya can also increase efforts to empower women and the nation's economic growth because through the implementation of National Kebaya Day, a number of MSMEs have received an increase in sales of kebaya products and supporting accessories.

"Through kebaya, Indonesian women can advance to class and be more advanced," said Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo.

The peak of the commemoration of National Kebaya Day will feature eight legendary kebaya collections of Ibu Tien Soeharto.