VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is committed to supporting Bantul Regency to become a world creative city that is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the field of crafts and folk arts. The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, in his "Weekly Brief with Sandi Uno" Monday (12/12) said this commitment started with the establishment of Bantul Regency as part of the Indonesian Creative Regency/City (KaTa) ecosystem through Regency/City Self-Assessment activities. Creative Indonesia (PMK3I) with craft as its flagship.

"I wish congratulations and success to Bantul Regency, which has just received the designation of the Indonesian Creative Word for 2022. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy as the national focal point for UCCN is committed to accompanying Bantul Regency so that it can network at the global level," said Sandiaga Uno.

The potential for handicrafts in Bantul Regency is relatively high among the regencies/cities in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. It is recorded that approximately 70 percent of creative products such as souvenirs being sold in Malioboro come from Bantul Regency. Apart from that, in Bantul there is the Yogyakarta Indonesian Art Institute, a craft community, and a variety of traditions that have survived to this day.

Indonesia itself already has four cities that have received UCCN titles, namely Pekalongan in the craft and folk arts category, Bandung in the design category, Ambon in the music category, and Jakarta in the literature category.

However, if it gains legitimacy from UNESCO, it will certainly have a big impact. Not only in the sustainability and development of creative economic potential, but also indirectly as an effective means of promotion. That way the interest of tourists to come to Indonesia, especially Bantul, will increase and the community will be more prosperous.

Bantul Regent Abdul Halim Muslih admitted that economic growth in crafts and folk arts in Bantul Regency was actually relatively well established. However, if it can enter the world's network of creative cities, then Bantul's economic growth will certainly be more inclusive and sustainable.

In a series of processes towards the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the field of crafts and folk arts, the Government of Bantul Regency together with all stakeholders organized various activities ranging from seminars, festivals, exhibitions to performances. (VOI)