21st September 2022 – Hand-drawn Batik Lasem is prepared as a souvenir for the participants of the G20 Tourism Working Group (TWG). Batik Lasem originates from Rembang, Central Java, which uses natural materials during its making process.
According to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, this is aligned with one of the G20 pillars, namely sustainability and transformation towards a green economy. He clarified in a hybrid Weekly Press Briefing on Monday that the Batik Lasem scarf is for the wives of foreign tourism ministers who attended G20.
A total of 50 scarves are provided to be distributed to the companions of the TWG G20 participants. The batik scarfs combine Javanese and Chinese motifs and are the result of a collaboration between the Asia Pacific Rayon (APR) and the Faculty of Art and Design (FSRD) of Maranatha Christian University Bandung.
This step also aligned with the theme carried out by TWG in terms of strengthening communities and MSMEs.
According to the Director of Creative, Fashion, Design, and Culinary Industries at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Yuke Sri Rahayu, Batik Lasem as a souvenir is also compatible with sustainable fashion, which has been increasingly popular as of late.
Similar to other batik motifs in other regions, Batik Lasem motifs highlight what is around them. Such as the “sekar jagad” motif that depicts Bhineka Tunggal Ika or diversity. There are also peony flower motifs that symbolize happiness.
The Head of the Fashion Design Program at Maranata University at Bandung, and the Head of the Batik Lasem Research Team, Yosepin Sri Ningsih, said that the selection of peony flower represents the hope that the G20 event will be a collaboration that brings happiness to create a better world.
Batik Lasem is chosen as a souvenir due to the rarity of its motifs lately as access to Lasem is difficult. In fact, Batik Lasem is one of the first batik in Indonesia.
