Cempaka Culture and Tourism: Indonesia's batik a winner for international diplomacy

"The Recalibration of Awareness – Apr 20/21, 2012 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Old Energy, Recalibration Lectures, God / Creator, Religions/Spiritual systems (Catholic Church, Priests/Nun’s, Worship, John Paul Pope, Women in the Church otherwise church will go, Current Pope won’t do it), Middle East, Jews, Governments will change (Internet, Media, Democracies, Dictators, North Korea, Nations voted at once), Integrity (Businesses, Tobacco Companies, Bankers/ Financial Institutes, Pharmaceutical company to collapse), Illuminati (Started in Greece, with Shipping, Financial markets, Stock markets, Pharmaceutical money (fund to build Africa, to develop)), Shift of Human Consciousness, (Old) Souls, Women, Masters to/already come back, Global Unity.... etc.) - (Text version)

“… The Shift in Human Nature

You're starting to see integrity change. Awareness recalibrates integrity, and the Human Being who would sit there and take advantage of another Human Being in an old energy would never do it in a new energy. The reason? It will become intuitive, so this is a shift in Human Nature as well, for in the past you have assumed that people take advantage of people first and integrity comes later. That's just ordinary Human nature.

In the past, Human nature expressed within governments worked like this: If you were stronger than the other one, you simply conquered them. If you were strong, it was an invitation to conquer. If you were weak, it was an invitation to be conquered. No one even thought about it. It was the way of things. The bigger you could have your armies, the better they would do when you sent them out to conquer. That's not how you think today. Did you notice?

Any country that thinks this way today will not survive, for humanity has discovered that the world goes far better by putting things together instead of tearing them apart. The new energy puts the weak and strong together in ways that make sense and that have integrity. Take a look at what happened to some of the businesses in this great land (USA). Up to 30 years ago, when you started realizing some of them didn't have integrity, you eliminated them. What happened to the tobacco companies when you realized they were knowingly addicting your children? Today, they still sell their products to less-aware countries, but that will also change.

What did you do a few years ago when you realized that your bankers were actually selling you homes that they knew you couldn't pay for later? They were walking away, smiling greedily, not thinking about the heartbreak that was to follow when a life's dream would be lost. Dear American, you are in a recession. However, this is like when you prune a tree and cut back the branches. When the tree grows back, you've got control and the branches will grow bigger and stronger than they were before, without the greed factor. Then, if you don't like the way it grows back, you'll prune it again! I tell you this because awareness is now in control of big money. It's right before your eyes, what you're doing. But fear often rules. …”

Monday, July 2, 2007

Indonesia's batik a winner for international diplomacy

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Wastraprema, an association of traditional textile lovers, has suggested the government use batik to promote Indonesia's culture, values and heritage abroad.

The association's chairwoman, Adiati Arifin Siregar, said batik could facilitate the sharing of ancient values and national history with other countries.

"We have always supported the government's efforts to promote traditional cultures and to introduce cultural heritage to other nations. Batik can be part of the package," Adiati said during a ceremony to mark the association's 31st birthday Thursday.

To celebrate its anniversary, the association is currently holding a traditional textile exhibition with a batik and wayang (puppet) theme at the Jakarta Textile Museum in West Jakarta. The exhibition will run until July 5.

"Batik is not just something our ancestors wore, but is also a medium through which their philosophies and moral values can be seen," Adiati said.

Wastraprema was established on June 28, 1976, on the request of then Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin, who is an enthusiast of art and culture.

The association's collection of textiles is in the thousands. Half of the collection is made up of items donated by former state officials.

According to Ministry of Industry records, there are more than 3000 batik motives used in Indonesia. Some of the more well-known motives are Parang Kusumo, Parang Barong and Sekar Jagad.

In ancient Javanese culture, certain types of batik were worn exclusively by royal and noble families due to the delicate process required to make them and sacred symbols used.

Later on, the batik industry grew and simpler fabrics were produced for the wider community.

Modern textile factories that opened up across Java in the 1970s pushed aside batik as they were able to produce cheaper textiles. Batik, however, is still commonly worn among older members of society.

Nowadays, the price of a piece of batik varies depending on its motif, colors used and its level of intricacy. Undyed fabric sells for approximately Rp 250,000, while dyed fabric varies in price from Rp 500,000 to Rp 1,500,000 (US$165)

Didy Haryono, a batik expert, said the government should hold regular international exhibitions demonstrating Indonesia's traditional textiles to showcase the country's rich cultural heritage.

"We already talk enough about politics and the economy. We should start talking about batik and other traditional textiles at international forums," she said.

She said Wastaprema would require strong support from local administrations and the central government to be able to hold traditional textiles exhibitions and workshops in the future.

The vice head of the City Cultural and Museum Agency, Agung Widodo, said that the city administration would back up Wastaprema's activities to develop and promote traditional textiles as much as its budget allowed.

"Building the textile museum proves that we are serious about supporting cultural activities, even though our budget is limited," he said.