Indonesia celebrates National Batik Day through cultural diplomacy and local events

Various celebrations were held to mark National Batik Day and the 17th anniversary of UNESCO recognizing Indonesian batik as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

In Ottawa, Canada, the Indonesian Embassy hosted a fashion show titled ‘Batik: From Indonesia to the World’. Indonesian Ambassador Muhsin Syihab described batik as a powerful tool for cultural diplomacy, noting that it is an inseparable part of Indonesian identity that supports the livelihoods of nearly 200,000 citizens. Canadian Parliament member Sameer Zuberi noted the importance of the craft in deepening Canadian public understanding of Indonesia.

In Indonesia, local communities and organizations emphasized the importance of preserving the tradition. In Jember, the Women's Organization Union (GOW) encouraged the younger generation to maintain batik as a national identity. Meanwhile, at Sukabumi Station, KAI Daop 1 Jakarta held interactive batik-making demonstrations and traditional angklung performances to engage commuters and celebrate the cultural heritage.