Head the Executive Committee, Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas officially opened the 7th ASEAN Traditional Textile Symposium (ATTS) in Yogyakarta on 5 November 2019. The biennial symposium is held in one of ASEAN countries. In 2005, ASEANTTAC initiated the first symposium with the support from the ASEAN Secretariat.
ASEANTTAC (Southeast Asian Traditional Textile Society) is based on Wastraprema association, which accommodates Indonesian traditional textiles enthusiasts. This year, for the second time, TTASSEA got the honor of running the event with the full support from the Ministry of Education and Cultures of Indonesia. Taking “Embracing Change, Honoring Tradition” as its theme, the event runs from Tuesday to Friday (5-8 November 2019) in the 2018-2020 ASEAN City of Culture, Yogyakarta.
The opening ceremony was marked with the sounding of kenong (Indonesian traditional gong instrument) by the Head of Executive Committee, GKR Hemas; Regional Secretary of Yogyakarta Province, Arofa Noor Indriyani; and Wastraprema chief, Adiati Arifin Siregar, accompanied by TTASSEA president, GKBRAA Paku Alam. Also attending the ceremony was HE Queen Consort of Malaysia, Permaisuri Agung Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
Head of Committee, Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas said, “We are happy to welcome our participants of the 7th ASEAN Traditional Textile Symposium. On behalf of the committee, I’d like to welcome all traditional textile experts and enthusiasts to our city. Since it was initiated in 2009 until today, TTASSEA has gone through some significant changes. These include changes in human resources, international communication and international cooperation.
The symposium which is organized by TTASSEA, as one of social institutions accredited by the ASEAN Secretariat, is important for the society, notably design and textile students, traditional textile practitioners and researches in universities, traditional textile enthusiasts in Southeast Asia, and cultural field observers, especially the materials. The 7th ASEAN Symposium not only provides a stage for sharing knowledge and strengthening friendship, but also improves collaboration among academia and traditional textile business practitioners and enthusiasts in the field. The event is open to public, and we invite everyone to come.”
Director General of Cultures of the Ministry of Education and Cultures, Hilmar Farid said that traditional textiles are the reflection of our identity and act as a medium to channel knowledge, cultures and arts across generations. In line with Cultural Promotion Act (Law No.5/ 2017), up until 2019 the government, through the Ministry of Education and Cultures, has designated 39 traditional textiles as Indonesian intangible cultural heritage, including batik, ulos, tenun ikat and songket.
Hilmar expressed his hope that the 7th ASEAN Traditional Textiles Symposium could initiate the academia, enthusiasts and collectors, as well as traditional textile industry practitioners to actively find solutions to issues about the preservation, development and utilization of traditional textiles. He also hoped all stakeholders can help foster mutual respect and strong cooperation between traditional textile communities in ASEAN and other regions in the world.
More than 20 international speakers and observers are to present their papers on traditional textiles. Some of the presentations are Weaving in ASEAN: Shared Histories, Common Themes by Christopher Buckley of the University of Oxford, Safeguarding Indonesian Traditional Textiles by Jadin Jamaludin of Indonesia, and Talismanic Seeing, Figurative Imagery and Islam in the Batik of Java by James Bennett of Australia.
Other papers include Aesthetic Value of Double Ikat: Study Case of Gringsing and Oshima-Tsumugi by Shigemi Sakakibara of Japan, Ancient Chinese Loom: Multiple Heddle Pattern Device by Long Bo of China and Preserving Papua Terfo in the Sarmi Region by I Wayan Rai of Indonesia.
Other supporting events include design and photography competitions. There were 30 finalists in the photography and bag and accessories design competitions, whilst 10 finalists compete in sarong and scarf design competition. Twenty-six participants from SMEs have been chosen to exhibit their textile products at Pendopo Royal Ambarrukmo and Pendopo Ndalem Ageng in Royal Ambarrukmo Yogyakarta Hotel compound.
