Foreign Minister Retno Calls Batik A Soft Power Of Indonesian Diplomacy

Archives - Workers drying 125-250 meters of batik cloth in Medono, Pekalongan, Central Java, September 2021. (Photo: Harviyan Perdana Putra/Antara)

JAKARTA - Batik as the soft power of Indonesian diplomacy is getting stronger and recognized by the world, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi.

"Indonesian batik is getting stronger and as part of the integral soft power of Indonesia's diplomacy," said Foreign Minister Retno in her remarks at the commemoration of "National Batik Day 2021: Batik Grants from BINHouse and Loans of Old Batik from the Indonesian Batik Foundation to Indonesian Representatives Abroad". in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Saturday, October 2.

Therefore, he said, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the spearhead of the diplomacy of the Republic of Indonesia must continue to strive to present batik as the identity of the Indonesian nation on various occasions on the world stage.

“Today marks more than a decade of diplomacy for Indonesian batik which has been recognized worldwide, not only as a nation's cultural heritage, but also as an intangible cultural heritage since UNESCO's recognition on October 2, 2009. This shows the world's recognition of Indonesia's rich culture and commitment. in protecting Indonesian batik," he said.

Retno said that in May 2019, for the first time at the UN Security Council, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and almost all member countries of the UN Security Council wore Indonesian batik.

Recently, he continued, Papuan batik appeared to decorate the "New York Fashion Week" event and for one month the charm of Indonesian batik was present at the All Russian Decorative Art museum located in the center of Moscow.

"We all have a responsibility to be ambassadors for Indonesian batik, of course, including Indonesian diplomats. The mainstreaming of batik into the education curriculum and training of diplomats is also carried out to increase efforts to promote Indonesian batik abroad," he said.

According to him, batik is not just a work of art, but in every point, picture, and sheet there is a story and a deep philosophy.

For that, Retno said, it is the philosophy and the story that must be told often, so that the world will understand and appreciate the work better.

"It is the duty of diplomats to tell stories and philosophies and tell the world about each piece of Indonesian batik cloth and its philosophy," he said.

He considered cultural diplomacy as a tool to further introduce Indonesia and should also support the implementation of economic diplomacy.