Ministries receive UNESCO certificates

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 02/05/2010 4:23 PM

Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik and Coordinating Public Welfare Minister Agung Laksono Friday received three UNESCO certificates of intangible cultural heritage and a certificate recognizing the best practice of cultural preservation in Central Jakarta.

Also attending the presentation ceremony were Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and Trade Minister Marie Elka Pangestu.

"We must be aware that this calls for further efforts to protect and preserve our heritage," Agung said.

The three intangible heritages were batik, Javanese puppets, and the kris weapon.

Tresna Dermawan Kunafi from UNESCO said Indonesia's batik was chosen not because of its physical appearance or beauty, but because it was deeply ingrained in the country's culture.

"We have a different batik for every occasion. You cannot wear a funeral batik to a wedding, for example. And there are special types used to cradle a baby … that is why batik is regarded as special," he said.

The same goes for the kris and wayang, the media heard.

He suggested that Indonesia propose more cultural heritages for entry to UNESCO’s list of intangible culture, such as the angklung (bamboo musical instruments) and the Saman dance. (dis)

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Batik, kris and wayang get UNESCO world heritage status