President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Grace 1st National Day of Kebaya Celebration

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and First Lady Iriana attended the peak commemorative event of the 1st National Day of Kebaya on Wednesday. The kebaya is a traditional blouse widely worn by women across Indonesia, and this event marked a significant celebration of the nation’s cultural heritage.

President Jokowi wore a batik ensemble in a blend of brown and white, while First Lady Iriana donned a striking blue velvet kebaya. The event showcased eight legendary kebayas from the collection of Mrs. Tien Soeharto, the wife of Indonesia’s second president, Soeharto.

The celebration was further enlivened by musical performances from several national singers, including Sundari Soekotjo and a vocal group comprising Andien Aisyah, Yuni Shara, Rieka Roeslan, Nina Tamam, and Iga Mawarni.

Approximately nine thousand women from various regions across Indonesia attended the event. Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo, Chairperson of the Indonesian Women’s Congress (Kowani), expressed her belief that the participation of President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana would strengthen Indonesia’s commitment to protecting and preserving the kebaya as a national asset.

Wiyogo highlighted that the president’s presence is expected to bolster Indonesia’s proposal to UNESCO to inscribe the kebaya on its list of intangible cultural heritage. This proposal has been made jointly by Indonesia and several Southeast Asian countries.

The commemorative event, themed “Preserve Culture by Proudly Wearing Kebaya,” was held in line with Presidential Decree No. 19 of 2023, which established the national day. “The National Kebaya Day aims to introduce and re-echo kebaya as part of the history of the struggle of Indonesian women, strengthening people’s love and pride in the identity of their nation and Motherland,” stated Wiyogo on Tuesday, July 23.

Wiyogo expressed optimism that the commemoration of the national day would empower Indonesian women and stimulate the national economy. “Through kebaya, Indonesian women can level up their class and achieve progress,” she noted.