Solo Batik Carnival to be held in Netherlands

Tempo Interactive, Tuesday, 30 March, 2010

In glamour: A new breath into batik as designer Dewi Syifa transforms the
traditional fabric into a glamorous gown. (JP / Photos by Munarsih Sahana)

TEMPO Interactive, Surakarta: The Surakarta Cultural Office will send six members of the Solo Batik Carnival to The Hague, Netherlands, today. They have been invited by the Embassy of Indonesia in the Netherlands to perform at the Indonesia Night Market event, to be held in early April in The Hague.

“All expenses will be paid by the Foreign Ministry,” said the Head of the Surakarta Cultural Office, Purnomo Subagyo, yesterday. The costumes to be worn in the performances have the sekar jagat motif. According to Subagyo, the motif is varied and lively, appropriate for a costume party.

Similar costumes have been worn at the Chingai Festival in Singapore, last February. According to Purnomo, the six persons selected are among Solo Batik Carnival participants in Singapore. He hoped that by sending these cultural ambassadors, Surakarta’s tourism image in the Netherlands can improve. “Moreover, Indonesia is quite well known in the country,” said Purnomo.

The performers will be given travel brochures on this year’s Surakarta cultural agenda to be distributed in The Netherlands. The Indonesia Night Market is held by the Indonesian Embassy and the Indonesian community living in the Netherlands. The event will exhibit various Indonesian cultural attractions.

AHMAD RAFIQ

Pasar Malam Indonesia, The Hague

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