Celebrating Indonesian Batik Day 2020 in Estonia
Since 2009, October 2 became a special day for Indonesian, because we celebrate the time when UNESCO recognized batik [1] as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity from October 2009. With a respect for those who can’t celebrate in Indonesia due to the COVID-19 pandemic challenge, I felt grateful because this year I can celebrate this cultural day with my second family in Estonia, Positium.
What is Batik?
Batik is an Indonesian traditional cloth that originally comes from Java island, the most populous island in Indonesia. This colorful cloth can take 1 month until 2 years of making time depending on the purposes of the textile creation and its complexity [2]. Batik artist uses Canting, a tool to put hot melted wax on the cloth.
From its history, Batik textile heritage permeates the life of Indonesian people since the 5th century. It was used to illustrate the journey of human life from birth, marriage, until death [3]. The word batik itself comes from the Javanese word amba (‘to write’) and titik (‘dot). It is attested in the Indonesian Archipelago during the Dutch colonial period in various forms: mbatek, mbatik, batek, and batik. [1]
Why We Celebrate Batik Day?
After UNESCO recognition in 2009, and after that, the Indonesian government strongly encourage Indonesian people (especially government officials, employees of state-owned enterprises, and students) to wear batik annually on the holiday and on Fridays to commemorate the day. Wearing batik on Friday has also been encouraged in private companies [1]. Ten years after its recognition, Batik Day is celebrated over the world in order to create awareness for one of Indonesia’s historical artwork to international friends and community. One of the fun fact about wearing Batik in international event, on last May 2019, during UNSC (United Nations Security Council) meeting in UN headquarters in New York, some of international delegates are wearing batik shirts and made Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Mrs. Retno Marsudi got a surprise when she entered the Security Council chamber [4]
Batik Day Celebration in Positium Office
Surprisingly, this idea came when we have our 5-minutes daily planking exercise in the office (it’s one of our ritual in the office). One of our Indonesian colleague is wearing Batik on this day, couple of days before Oct 2. And then, we talked a little bit about Batik and why Indonesian people so proud of it. Somehow, it brings me a good memory how I celebrate it in my ex-workplace back in Jakarta and I just realized the celebration day was very close. From this day, we’re planning to have a mini celebration in the office by wearing Batik for those who have it. Fast forward to Oct 2, I was so amazed that most of them have their own Batik and somehow I felt like being at home :) FYI, some of them have been to Indonesia before and bring their Batik to Estonia.
A night before, I and two of my Indonesian friends prepared hand-made Indonesian spring rolls (Lumpia)[5] with an intention to introduce Indonesian food taste to our beloved Estonian and Russian colleagues in the office. Hopefully, they like the taste because all of the spring rolls almost gone before lunch. So, that’s my little story about Batik Day in Estonia. :)
References:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batik_Day
[2] https://www.iwarebatik.org/batik-production-process/
