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Photo: KBRI Beijing/rmol.id

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia Beijing/ China/ together with Dharma Wanita Persatuan (wives of the Embassy’s civil servants) in Beijing, introduced the value and philosophy of batik in the ASEAN Ladies Circle (ALC).

The ALC, which was held at the Ambassador's House in the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing on Monday (28/10), took the theme A Journey into Indonesia's Batik Philosophy. The event was attended by the wives of ambassadors and diplomats as well as representatives of female diplomats from ASEAN member countries serving in Beijing as well as invited guests from other countries.

Chairwoman of the Dharma Wanita Persatuan of the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing, Sih Elsiwi Handayani Oratmangun, who is also the wife of Indonesian Ambassador to China and Mongolia Djauhari Oratmangun, said in a written statement in Beijing on Tuesday (29/10) that batik is not just a cloth, but also a work of art that reflects the history, values and philosophy of the Indonesian nation.

Sih Elsiwi said ASEAN Ladies Circle this time aims to introduce and deepen understanding of Indonesian batik as one of the world's cultural heritages that has been recognised by UNESCO.

Sih Elsiwi explained guests were invited to understand more deeply the philosophical meanings contained in various batik motifs such as the ‘Kawung’ motif which symbolises purity ‘Mega Mendung’ motif which teaches calmness to the ‘Parang’ motif which symbolises struggle and courage.

The event also showed a video about the process of batik making which showed the beauty and complexity of written batik techniques using traditional tools such as canting.

In addition there was also a batik fashion show by members of the Beijing Indonesia Group, the Indonesian community in Beijing. The models wore a variety of typical Indonesian batik motifs from the ‘Buketan’ motif which symbolises love to the ‘Garuda’ motif which symbolises strength and courage. Furthermore, there were still Indonesian children in Beijing who performed angklung, a traditional Indonesian musical instrument made of bamboo, and ‘Poco-Poco’ dance from Maluku to add to the excitement of the event.

According to Sih Elsiwi, ASEAN Ladies Circle is a place to strengthen relations between ASEAN countries through culture. Invited guests from the embassies of ASEAN countries and also the wives of ambassadors get first-hand experience of Indonesian culture as well as the opportunity to share their respective cultures.

The activity was closed with a banquet of Indonesian specialities including lumpia, dadar gulung, pecel, Medan laksa, bubur sumsum, cara bikang, lapis sago and wedang jahe prepared by the Indonesian Embassy team in Beijing and the Roemah Indonesia Heritage Restaurant in Beijing.

Sih Elsiwi said that the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing and DWP will continue to promote the diversity of Indonesian culture as a promotion to Friends of Indonesia.

She hopes events like ALC will trigger the interest of the Chinese public and from other countries to explore Indonesian culture and culinary and then visit Indonesia to get first-hand experience.