Amid the dazzling variety of batik available in Indonesia, batik gedhog or Tuban batik, as it is also known, stands out because of its rough, handwoven cotton fabric and its simple indigo-blue and morinda-red patterns representing cotton, rice, edible gourds, creeping vines, small birds, and phoenixes. Batik gedhog is produced in the rural village of Kerek,

The project IKAT/eCUT looks at the textile industry from many different perspectives: from arts to design, and from tradition to technology. Most of us are familiar with the term “Fast Fashion” – a phenomenon that describes theprocess of imitating the latest trends and styles presented on the glamorous runways which are then readily available in

When he was still a kid, Bisma Aryono fell in love with reading – not least because of his parents who always encouraged their son to develop a passion for the written word. JBC Booth at Indonesia Readers Festival in December 2015 “We actually had a family tradition”, the 35-year-old recalls. “On the weekends, my

Dutch cultural center Erasmus Huis was first established in 1970 in Menteng to strengthen the relationship between the Netherlands and Indonesia, before it was eventually moved to its current premises in Kuningan, South Jakarta. An important establishment in the city’s cultural scene, Erasmus Huis is currently led by Michael Rauner – he is not only

On 9 May every year, the European Union (EU) celebrates Europe Day as a symbol of peace and unity in Europe. This year is particularly special for EU as the delegation commemorates two occasions; the 60th Anniversary of the Treaties of Rome and the 40th Anniversary of EU-ASEAN Dialogue Relations. This year also marks the 30th Anniversary of the Erasmus

Institut Français d’Indonésie (IFI) plays a crucial part in promoting cultural and education exchange between France and Indonesia. This year, the institute promises more diverse and exciting programmes, ranging from discussions and exhibitions to music recitals. “At IFI, we support all cultural activities that involve representation of both countries. In addition to organising our own

Through its goods on display, such as colourful souvenirs, traditional food and drinks, clothes as well as furniture, Betawi Store, which is located inside a traditional Betawi house, showcases the cultural richness of Betawi people (the term Betawi is derived from Batavia, the official name given to Jakarta by the Dutch during the colonial era).

Jambi, on the east coast of central Sumatra, has a textile tradition shrouded in mystery. In fact, Jambi seems to have had two textile traditions: the tradition of lembato yellow and indigo blue batiks discovered by the Dutch in the 1920s – which nearly died out by the time the Japanese invaded in 1942 –

Until today, there’s still so much left unknown about Indonesia’s sea nomads, the Bajo Tribe. What we know is that this tribe is scattered in numerous areas, from eastern Indonesia to northern parts of Kalimantan (Sabah, Malaysia) and southern Philippines (Sulu Archipelago). That said, no written documents or ruins of ancient monuments or villages were

@america, the U.S. Embassy’s American cultural center located on the 3rd floor of Pacific Place mall in Jakarta, is a place that builds bridges between Indonesia and America. The cultural center aims to provide a space specifically for young Indonesians to learn more about the culture and values of the United States and promotes an

The Japanese culture and language has long fascinated people all over the world – it is no different in Indonesia. The Japan Foundation in Jakarta, which was first established in 1974, fosters international exchange in both fields. According to Tsukamoto Norihisa, Director General of the Japan Foundation, Jakarta, Indonesia is the second largest country when

The Goethe-Institut needs no introduction: one of the busiest and most thriving cultural centres in the country, it has attracted German language students and aficionados of German culture for several decades. With institutes in Jakarta and Bandung as well as the “Wisma Jerman” in Surabaya, the Goethe-Institut Indonesien has served as major focus point on