SARITA AND BATIK FOR UNESCO's 40th GENERAL CONFERENCE

Culture can not only be maintained 

We must try to change and advance culture

Because culture as culture is growing every time

On one hand, it could be lost, 

On the other hand, it could be developed

(Muhammad Hatta, One of the Founding Fathers and First Vice President of Indonesia)

            Culture plays a very important role in the work of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Precisely in November 1945, a United Nations Conference for the establishment of an educational and cultural organization was convened in London. 

            Scarcely had the World War II ended when the conference opened. It gathered together the representatives of countries who decided to create an organization that would embody a genuine culture of peace. In their eyes, the new organization must establish the “intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind” and, in so doing, prevent the outbreak of another world war. 

            74 years fast forward UNESCO now remains as the House to 193 Member States, including Indonesia, and 11 Associate Members that addressed the development of education, science and culture. Joined in May 27, 1950, Indonesia has been an active Member State ever since. Currently, Indonesia is the Member of Executive Board UNESCO. 

            JET is honored to serve as Adviser to Indonesia's delegation          to the UNESCO's 40th General Conference, in Paris, 12-27 November 2019. The General Conference, the highest decision-making body in UNESCO, consists of the representatives of the States Members of the Organization. It meets every two years, and is attended by Member States and Associate Members, together with observers for non-Member States, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Foundations.

            The 40th General Conference is not only another General Conference of UNESCO, as it marks the re-convening of Forum for Ministers of Culture. For more than 2 decades, the UNESCO has never held this Forum. In 2019, the forum is held and attended by Ministers or representatives for Culture from 193 Member States. 

            To mark this auspice event and furthermore to promote Indonesian culture through #FashionDiplomacy , JET puts on outfits made from traditional textiles.

            Called Sarita, the textile is hand-woven by ladies in Toraja, South Sulawesi, a region which is known as a land above the clouds. In the 1980s, there were only few women still wove this beautiful garment. Due to the active support by Indonesian designers, this cloth is again reproduced rapidly to meet the fashion trends. 

            Handy Hartono is one of utterly talented Indonesian designers who could turn traditional Sarita into a 21st century outfit. Handy Hartono's passion in creating a thoroughly wearable cloth made from traditional textile is admirable. 

            My first choice falls to Handy Hartono's red and black Sarita Toraja jacket. Bold patterns and strong colors are matches made in heaven.

            When the Sarita Toraja is worn in the UNESCO Headquarter in Paris, the outfit turns from a mere outfit into a display of Indonesian diverse culture.  

            Another outfit that I have been proudly wearing to the UNESCO's Conference is a Batik shirt, designed by Josephine "Obin" Komara. The silhouette is an ode to the glorious splendour of Indonesia with its Parang pattern and Chinese-inspired collar. 

            Oh and have I mentioned, this is Paris, after all, so delegates attending the General Conference is oh so stylish. So why don't we, Indonesians, promote our classy traditional outfits. 

            Et voila, without further a due, let's display the very best of Indonesia's textiles in Maison De L'UNESCO. 

            

Catatan Singkat untuk Rekans Diplomat dan Sahabat Batik/Wastra

Keikutsertaan kita sebagai anggota Delegasi Indonesia dalam konferensi internasional adalah saat yang tepat mempromosikan busana dari Batik, Songket, Sarita dan kain tradisional lainnya. 

Pada saat Musim Gugur di Paris, jaket dari bahan kain Sarita yang cukup tebal dapat turut menghangatkan badan. Tambahkan sehelai selendang Batik atau Tenun untuk menambah apik tampilan busana. Sementara untuk kemeja Batik, tambahkan thermal wear sebagai dalaman so you'll feel warm all day long. 

Always promote our very own fashion diplomacy. Don't forget to put a lovely smile and feel proud of our amazing Indonesian heritage!

Bonjour Monsieur Ambassadeur & Madame. 

H.E. Mr Arrmanatha C. Nasir, Indonesia's Ambassador to France, Monaco, Andorra and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, with Madam Nur Indah Sari Nasir and JET. 

Batik by Bin House. 

Adoring the charming blend of Indonesian Batik table runner with French decoration on this beautiful dining table. 

From the table arrangement to the delicious food, everything's so elegant, big thanks to Ibu Sari Nasir.

#UNESCOGC

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's General Conference.

Happy 40th birthday General Conference of UNESCO anddd to Monsieur JET too. 

Proud to share this milestone with UNESCO in 2019. 

With Their Excellencies...

Indonesia's Ambassadors to France, Monaco, Andorra and UNESCO from time to time 

Proudly donning a Sarita Toraja jacket for the 2019 UNESCO's Forum for Ministers of Culture. 

Serving as Adviser to Director General for Culture, Dr Hilmar Farid, at the UNESCO's Forum for Ministers of Culture. Here with a dear colleague, Ms Elvie Indayani. 

Dr Hilmar Farid, Director General for Culture, delivered an inspiring statement at the UNESCO's Forum for Ministers of Culture

Pablo Picasso and Sarita Toraja

Titled "The Fall of Icarus", Picasso (1881-1973) made this huge painting in 1958, covering a surface of 90m2. Now this iconic painting welcomes delegates attending the General Conference. 

Picasso was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, stage designer, poet and playwright who spent most of his adult life in France. Regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, he is known for co-founding the Cubist movement, the invention of constructed sculpture, the co-invention of collage, and for the wide variety of styles that he helped develop and explore.

Merci Paris, you have been stunning. 

Now, it's time to return to my beloved hometown, Jakarta. 

#JETFashionDiplomacy

#IndonesianFashionDiplomacy

#BatikDiplomacy

#IndonesianBatik

#SaritaToraja

#IndonesianDiplomat

#IndonesianDesigner

#MadeInIndonesia

#UNESCOGC

#Paris

#AutumninParis

#France