Celebrating Batik Day in the Heart of Padua
For someone who is not an Indonesian, Batik may only seem like beautiful patterns you put on your clothes. But for me, it is not just your average patterns or clothing; it is a reflection of Indonesia’s rich tapestry of history, culture, and tradition, a reminder of home, and a hope for the future. This year, as we approached Batik Day, my fellow awardees and I felt the urge to showcase this unique heritage not just to our newfound Italian friends, but to all Italians. With that in mind, we started to brainstorm, and after long sleepless nights, the “Batik Challenge” was conceived.
We settled on a theme: “Nuraga: Tabula Rasa — sharing our feelings through Batik”, which means “forging new friendships and sharing with an open mind using Batik as a medium”. “Batik Challenge” was not just an event; it was a moment, a feeling, a reflection of pride for all things Indonesian. We wanted to share those feelings and let the locals here in Padua get an experience and get a real sense of what Batik means to us. With countless picturesque backdrops in Padua, we settled on five iconic locations — Prato della Valle, Giardini dell’Arena, Palazzo Bo, Piazza dei Signori, and Giardino dei Gelsi — to reach as many as possible, and together, we embarked on this mission.
Spread between five locations, we set up stalls wherever we could or just roamed around the location and began introducing our national foods — bakwan, a delectable Indonesian fritter made of vegetables and flour with a strong salty taste, and martabak, a mouth-watering sweet stuffed pancake. As we began to share and introduce our national delicacies, it seemed that the Italian locals were intrigued by the tantalizing aromas, and their curiosity was evident in their eagerness to taste. The blend of salty-crispiness and sweet-savory flavors of both bakwan and martabak was a hit, and many came back for seconds!
As we shared our national cuisine, we showcased Batik Jumputan — a particular technique used to create Batik designs. With dye and wax, we showed how patterns come alive, each telling a story, representing a piece of Indonesian soul. It was heartwarming to see Italian students trying their hand at Batik Jumputan, their faces beaming with joy and intrigue.
Our journey concluded with each location becoming a melting pot of cultures, where we exchanged tales and experiences, ultimately finding common ground amidst our diversity. After finishing up the “Batik Challenge”, we paused to reflect on the day’s successes and the connections we’d forged. The event was not just about showcasing a tradition; it was about uniting two worlds and celebrating shared human experiences.
In retrospect, the “Batik Challenge” transcended beyond a single event. It was an indelible eye-opening experience, an intertwining of histories, and a testament to the power of cultural exchange. Through Batik, we celebrated Indonesia, while Padua, with its warm embrace, celebrated us.
