SOLO, SHI – The 44th anniversary celebration of the National Crafts Council (Dekranas) and the 52nd National Movement for Family Welfare Empowerment (HKG PKK) will be held grandly in Solo, Central Java (Jateng), from May 15-18, 2024. First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo and the wife of Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, Wury Ma’ruf Amin, will attend both events.

The Daily Chairperson of Dekranas, Tri Suswati Tito Karnavian, stated that Solo had been chosen as the venue for the 44th Dekranas anniversary celebration since May last year. The event will be hosted by Dekranasda of Central Java Province.

“All administrators will be invited, including the First Lady, the General Chairperson of Dekranas, Mrs. Wury Ma’ruf Amin, along with the administrators of the Action Solidarity Organization of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet Era (OASE KIM), the central Dekranas administrators, as well as the heads of Dekranas and PKK across Indonesia,” said Tri Tito Karnavian to the media at the Sriwedari Stadium Lobby, Laweyan, Solo, Jateng, on Sunday (12/5/2024).

Tri added that the 44th Dekranas anniversary celebration and the 52nd HKG PKK commemoration were held together for efficiency in time and venue.

“The Dekranas anniversary is celebrated every March 3, and the HKG PKK every March 4. Since I am both the Daily Chairperson of Dekranas and the General Chairperson of PKK, for efficiency in all aspects, we decided to hold both events at the same place in Solo and at the same time,” Tri explained.

Additionally, Tri stated that this year’s celebrations would be significantly different from the previous year's event in Medan, North Sumatra. This time, the event will be enlivened with various activities that will bring together more people. Besides the parade, there will also be exhibitions and cultural performances.

“The event starts from May 15-18, 2024, but on the night of May 14, 2024, there will be a gala dinner at Pracima Tuin Mangkunegaran, attended by First Lady Iriana Jokowi and Vice President’s wife Wury Ma’ruf Amin,” she said.

When asked by reporters about the reason for choosing Solo as the venue, Tri explained that Solo is easily accessible from many regions across Indonesia. Moreover, in terms of infrastructure, Solo is considered very suitable and well-prepared for hosting major events.

“Previously, such events were mostly decided by us at the center and were often held in Jakarta. However, due to the Covid pandemic, which severely impacted craftsmen in the regions, we decided to hold it in the provinces, starting in Medan. After Medan, the Central Java Provincial Government requested that the next host be Central Java, specifically Solo, so we are holding it in Solo,” she explained.

On this occasion, Tri also apologized to the people of Solo because the event would bring visitors from various regions across Indonesia, making the city crowded. She also hopes that the people of Solo will enjoy and participate in the 44th Dekranas anniversary celebration and the 52nd HKG PKK commemoration.

Here is the schedule for the 44th Dekranas Anniversary in Solo:

1. Thanksgiving and opening of the Dekranas Anniversary Expo at Alila Hotel Solo, Wednesday (15/5/2024).

2. Parade of decorated cars, crafts, and Dekranas culture at Sriwedari Stadium - Solo City Hall, Wednesday (15/5/2024).

3. Nusantara fabric fashion show at Taman Sriwedari, Solo, Wednesday (15/5/2024).

4. Expo of MSME products fostered by Dekranas and Dekranasda at Pamedan Pura Mangkunegaran, Wednesday – Saturday (15-18/4/2024).