SuaraSurakarta.id – First Lady Iriana Jokowi participated in the decorated car parade for the 44th anniversary of the National Handicraft Council or Dekranas by riding the Rajamala vehicle in Solo on Wednesday (May 15, 2024).
According to ANTARA, Iriana was accompanied in the Rajamala-decorated vehicle by members of OASE Kabinet Indonesia Maju. Also present was the wife of Surakarta Mayor, Selvi Ananda.
Upon arriving at the honorary stage, designed like a train station with a Jaladara steam locomotive, Iriana received an award from the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) for the longest parade.
On this occasion, MURI Chairman Jaya Suprana stated that the event deserved a record in Indonesia.
“But in my opinion, this is also a world record because such an event has never happened anywhere in the world, with so many decorated cars and such beautiful dances,” he said.
On this occasion, Iriana combined a kebaya outfit with a traditional Dayak headdress.
Previously, Dekranas Executive Chairperson Tri Suswati Tito Karnavian mentioned that the 44th Dekranas Anniversary series of events also featured the Indonesian Handicrafts and Culture Carnival or the decorated car parade.
She stated that there were around 104 decorated vehicles and 1,250 participants from various regions, both from Dekranas and PKK throughout Indonesia.
“Thousands of Dekranasda administrators and PKK cadres from all over Indonesia participated in this cultural parade,” she said.
Decorated Car Parade
The event was enlivened by a decorated car parade on Jalan Slamet Riyadi on Wednesday (May 15) and the Dekranas Expo, which took place from Wednesday to Saturday (May 15-18) at the Pura Mangkunegaran Exhibition. Various handicrafts from each province were curated in 257 booths.
![\"Raffi](https://wordhtml.com/"https://blue.kumparan.com/image/upload/fl_progressive,fl_lossy,c_fill,q_auto:best,w_640/v1634025439/01hxxghcrkgb4f7mptzh2pf09y.jpg/")
Raffi Ahmad and Ayu Dewi hosting the Dekranas Anniversary. Source: Kumparan.
Wury Ma’ruf Amin stated that Dekranas serves as a platform for developing Indonesia's handicraft industry. Indonesian handicrafts have a long history, facing challenges and achieving great accomplishments.
“Everyone knows that Indonesian handicrafts receive national and international attention. This cannot be separated from the role of craftsmen, designers, media, MSME players, the government, and related institutions in bringing Indonesian products to the world stage,” said Wury.
She added that Indonesian handicrafts face challenges amid the current global situation. Creativity and perseverance are needed to enhance the quality of handicraft products and expand market networks for export.
“Handicrafts must implement environmental sustainability, improve welfare, and ensure regeneration,” Wury stated.
