SBY: World's Heritage from Indonesia

Susilo Bambang Yodhoyono

After Unesco declared batik as Indonesia’s cultural heritage, President Susilo Bambang yudhoyono (SBY) also declared 2 October as National Batik Day. “The Presidential Decree will follow. After Unesco of-ficially hands over the certificate, then we shall make better prepa-rations,” the President said upon receiving the batik craft-workers at his private residence in Puri Cikeas Indah, early October 2009.

In acceptance to the declaration by Unesco, President SBY asked Indonesia to give praises and gratitude. “As head of the country and government, and also as a batik lover, my contribution for the batik foundations is to always suggest wearing batik to the people. I send my gratitude to all of the batik warriors who have triumphed. When it is called a heritage, we surely must preserve it,” proclaimed SBY.

“I come to batik exhibition frequently to make sure the existence of regeneration. Let us preserve this. I invite all batik artists and organizations to keep on going forward and develop the creativity. If we wear batik often, besides being a form of gratitude, it is also enhancing our economy so as to expand the productivity and mo-bilize local economy status. Don’t wait until our batik is progressing in another country 15 years from now to then be angry,” the President affirmed.

“We have received a blessing from Allah. What was fought by all par-ties became a reality, and Unesco has declared batik as a global cultural heritage since October 2nd. As I follow it, as for now there are 76 intangible global cultural heritages. We have three out of the 76. Although Tion-gkok and Japan dominate the list, because they have plenty of global cul-tural heritage, and maybe because they apply for theirs first,” explained SBY.

The President is certain that Indonesia actually has plenty more of cultural wealth, that when applied for; may well be the next global cultural heritage. “The more plural a country is from the aspects of ethnics, religion, tribes, lan-guage and regions, the more intangible and tangible cultural heritage there are. Moreover if we could comprehend our journey as a country from one era to the other,” he continued.“

“From the traces of history we are convinced that there are so many heri-tages of culture and civilization those are tangible or not, so from now let us diligently list them back. After the keris, wayang and batik, angklung is still within the process, and there are much more to do in the future. From the as-pect of plurality, I’m sure it can be more. It is a never-ending resource. I interpret our greatness from the historical view in that way,” SBY elaborated.

President SBY also has a surprise for he is in the middle of collaboration with batik artists for a batik design that portrays three of our cultural heritage. “Just wait for the day,” the President smiled.
(source: osa, presidensbyinfo.com)

Publish at arti mag special edition, 2010, page 11