RADARSOLO.COM – First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, who also serves as the Patron of the National Craft Council (Dekranas), officially opened the Dekranas Expo 2024 at Alila Hotel on Wednesday (April 15).

With the striking of a gong, the 44th anniversary celebration of Dekranas, centered in Solo City from May 15-18, 2024, was officially inaugurated.

"With Bismillah, I declare the opening of the Dekranas Expo 2024,” said Iriana.

Iriana, along with the entire Dekranas 2024 committee from the national to regional levels, then participated in a traditional tumpeng rice-cutting ceremony.

The first slice of tumpeng was presented to the Chairwoman of Dekranas, Hj. Wury Ma’ruf Amin, accompanied by the Daily Chair of Dekranas, the Chairman of the Dekranas Anniversary 2024 Committee, the Chairperson of Dekranasda Central Java Province, and the Chairperson of Dekranasda Surakarta City.

"Thank you to the First Lady, Dekranas and Dekranasda administrators, and all parties supporting this event. The main goal of this event is to advance crafts and culture in Indonesia,” explained Wury Ma’ruf Amin.

Wury called for support from practitioners, academics, artisans, industry players, and the government to contribute to the advancement of crafts and culture in Indonesia.

Indonesian craft products have been well received both nationally and internationally. Therefore, maintaining consistency and ensuring generational continuity is crucial.

"Global economic turmoil is our biggest challenge. Therefore, perseverance and the quality of craft products must always be improved,” emphasized Wury Ma’ruf Amin.

"And just as important is maintaining the regeneration process. Let’s elevate our nation’s crafts and culture to a higher level,” she added. (ves/wa)