Heru Hopes Betawi Batik Can Compete with Fashion Developments

Jakarta Acting Governor, Heru Budi Hartono gave motivation at the Betawi Batik Design Competition Champion Awards 2024 event at Great Hall, Jakarta City Hall, Thursday (5/30).

Hopefully, it can become a routine agenda every year

He hoped that competitions like this could enrich Betawi batik motifs, thus they could compete to keep up with fashion developments from time to time.

He also talked about how difficult it was to find Batik that depicted regional characteristics to give as gifts to state guests. They had to search in remote areas in Indonesia. Hopefully, it could create new motifs that represent the unique culture of Jakarta.

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“Finding Batik with a unique story that truly depicts a part of Indonesia is difficult, not easy. It can travel around the island of Java, even to remote areas in Indonesia. For instance, we take batik from the Sumatra region, so I choose the most unique one and the story is truly part of Indonesia," he expressed, as quoted by Jakarta Provincial Government's press release.

Then he also hoped that Betawi batik design competitions could be held regularly, involving more of the younger generation of students, especially Vocational High School (SMK) students. He assessed that this design competition activity provided many benefits, both for the development of preserving Betawi culture and providing positive activities for the younger generation.

"Hopefully, it can become a routine agenda every year and we can buy it too, as well as preserving Betawi Batik, instead of daydreaming about playing games, it can become something our students are busy with," he continued.

The event received appreciation from Jakarta PKK Movement Team Acting Chairwoman, Mirdiyanti. It is a forum to encourage creativity and innovation in batik design, as well as introduce the richness of Betawi culture to the younger generation and the wider community.

"Through the Betawi Batik design competition, we see the enthusiasm and dedication of the participants in creating various designs that are original, aesthetic, and full of meaning. Hopefully, it can bring out new talents in the world of Betawi Batik design and increase appreciation for traditional Indonesian art and culture," she uttered.

The Betawi Batik Design Competition was held from March 22, 2024, to May 30, 2024, attended by 150 participants from Jakarta. From this number, 15 finalists were selected whose work was exhibited at City Hall and competed for the champion title.

Following is the list of winners of the Betawi Batik Design Competition 2024:

- First Place – Pucuk Rebung (Natalia Kartika - Central Jakarta)

- Second Place – Bunga Serumpun (Muhammad Alvin Firatama - South Jakarta)

- Third Place – Daun Sirih Tanjidor (Apriwindi - Central Jakarta)

- First Runner Up – Harmoni Biru Budaya Betawi (Absyir Abdul Wahhab - South Jakarta)

- Second Runner Up - Kembang Goyang Betawi Batik (Mediva Dyah Fajriani - South Jakarta)

- Third Runner Up – Cihuy Betawi Batik (Djoko Prianto - East Jakarta)