Jakarta, Gatra.com- The National Craft Council (DEKRANAS) is once again organizing the Kriyanusa 2023 Exhibition with the theme "Superior Crafts, Advanced Indonesia,” which will take place from September 13 to September 17, 2023, at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC). This event is held to promote and encourage superior crafts as one of Indonesia's most valuable assets in facing global market challenges.

The Kriyanusa 2023 Exhibition will serve as a stage for skilled artisans from all over the country to showcase their beautiful and creative works. This exhibition not only features unique handmade crafts but also highlights the spirit of innovation and boundless creativity in producing superior craft products.

The Chairperson of the Kriyanusa 2023 Exhibition Committee, Sri Suparni Bahlil, stated that the organization of the Kriyanusa 2023 Exhibition is one of Dekranas' tangible efforts in developing the capacity of craft entrepreneurs, aiming to encourage the creation and development of local craft products while preserving the cultural identity of all regions in Indonesia.

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"This exhibition serves as a platform to help market the products supported by Dekranasda and provide space for the Nusantara craft industry to continuously bring forth creativity and innovation to improve business performance and showcase their superior products,” she stated at a press conference on Wednesday (9/13).

In an era increasingly filled with advanced technology and economic progress, Indonesia finds its appeal and strength in an invaluable asset: craft products. In an effort to promote cultural heritage and encourage economic innovation, Dekranas highlights superior crafts as one of the main pillars in the nation's journey toward progress.

This year, the Kriyanusa Exhibition also highlights the cultural icon of Betawi. "This opportunity is a joint effort to introduce and promote Betawi’s cultural wealth to younger generations and the wider community,” said Sri Suparni Bahlil.

Superior crafts, which include Indonesian handmade crafts and traditional arts, have become increasingly important in developing national identity and play a significant role in supporting the country’s creative economy.

An illustration of a booth at the Kriyanusa 2023 Exhibition with the theme "Superior Crafts, Advanced Indonesia,” organized by the National Craft Council (DEKRANAS) from September 13 to September 17, 2023, at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC). (GATRA/Dok BBI)

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, in his speech at the opening of Kriyanusa 2023, explained that one of the aspects that has drawn global attention is the extraordinary creativity found in every Indonesian superior craft product. Local artisans are highly skilled in combining tradition and innovation to create products that captivate the global market.

With their creative touches, craft products such as batik, wastra, weaving, pottery, and carvings have attracted consumers worldwide. This marks the first step in a long journey towards a more advanced Indonesia.

The Secretary-General of Dekranas, who is also the Director-General of Small, Medium, and Various Industries at the Ministry of Industry, Reni Yanita, stated that the Government, Artisans, Academics, Communities, Media, and all layers of craft enthusiasts must continue working together to develop superior crafts as an invaluable economic and cultural resource.

"This is also an opportunity for investment that can support artisans and the craft industry to grow and compete globally,” she added.

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Additionally, she continued, Kriyanusa is a craft exhibition eagerly awaited not only by Indonesians but also by international audiences. "Because it showcases regional superior craft products created by competent and competitive MSME actors,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Daily Chairman of the Kriyanusa Exhibition, Musa Widyatmojo, explained that Dekranas is very strict in curating artisans. "All participants must produce handmade crafts, not machine-made or printed products,” he said.

Dekranas also strictly focuses on Indonesian crafts that use local raw materials. The Kriyanusa 2023 Exhibition will also be enlivened by various events such as talk shows, craft demonstrations, fashion shows, and cultural performances from various regions held daily.

Read also: The Important Role of Designers in Supporting Craft Products to Enter the Global Market

There will be 27 collaborative events between Dekranas, Dekranasda, Ministries/Institutions, and communities. The exhibition will also feature the Dekranas Award program, which is one of Dekranas’ forms of appreciation for creative entrepreneurs and artisans who produce the best craft works in Indonesia.

"A total of 377 product types have been submitted to the Dekranas Award committee, assessed and curated by professional and independent judges,” said the Chairperson of the Dekranas Award Committee, Liza Mustafa Abubakar.

This article has been published on Gatra.com under the title "Dekranas Holds Kriyanusa 2023, Superior Crafts Towards an Advanced Indonesia.” Read more at: Gatra.com