Solopos.com, SOLO– The parade of decorated cars, crafts, and culture in celebration of the 44th anniversary of the National Crafts Council (Dekranas) and the 52nd anniversary of the Family Empowerment and Welfare Movement (PKK) successfully set a Muri (Indonesian World Records Museum) record.
The First Lady, Iriana, handed over the Muri award to the National Crafts Council (Dekranas), represented by the Head of the New Entrepreneurship Division, Endang Budi Karya, at the Ngarsopuro intersection, Jl Slamet Riyadi, Solo, on Wednesday (May 15, 2024).
The parade of decorated cars, crafts, and culture involved 20 decorated horse-drawn carriages or biolets, 102 decorated cars, crafts, and cultural displays, and more than 1,200 walking participants from PKK women across Indonesia, all wearing their traditional attire.
The founder of MURI, Jaya Suprana, explained that the parade, which involved participants, cars, and traditional attire, not only broke an Indonesian record but also a world record. He requested that Iriana hand over the award to Dekranas.
The parade of decorated cars, crafts, and culture began with a procession from the Soldiers & Music Corps of the Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace (Keraton Solo). This was followed by the decorated car, which was an icon of Solo city, Rajamala.
The Rajamala decorated car owned by Dekranas transported Iriana, the Head of the PKK Empowerment and Family Welfare Team (TP PKK) Solo, Selvi Ananda, the General Chairperson of TP-PKK Central, Tri Tito Karnavian, and women from the Indonesian Cabinet Solidarity Action Organization (OASE) from Sriwedari Stadium to the stage at the Ngarsopuro intersection.
Ibu Iriana and the OASE Cabinet Indonesia Maju leaders distributed balloon balls to the citizens along Jl Slamet Riyadi. They threw the balloon balls to the spectators.
They then took their seats on the stage, which was built using a steam locomotive. This location became the central hub for the parade activities from Sriwedari Stadium to Solo City Hall. Five stages were built along the 2.3 km route.
The Rajamala car, which carried Iriana and Selvi, was followed by a car with an angklung theme, owned by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. Indonesia's angklung was recognized as a world cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on November 16, 2010.
The next procession featured PKK cadres from Solo City in white attire, followed by PKK Central Java, showcasing several traditional Central Java dances. The next procession was from PKK representatives from each province, followed by decorated cars from each province.
The Chairperson of the Kauman Solo Batik Tourism Village Association, Gunawan Setiawan, stated that the Dekranas Anniversary and PKK HKG have had a positive impact on culture, the economy, and the promotion of Solo City.
"I see many guests from outside the city, so we have achieved many transactions. I see my culinary and craft friends selling well; they definitely need souvenirs,” he said.
According to him, the guests stayed several days in Solo City. The traditional cuisine and handmade crafts in Soloraya have benefitted positively from this grand event.
"I hope events like this are regularly held in Solo. Other institutions can also organize events in Solo. Solo is prepared to become a metropolitan city with culture,” he added.
