Exhibition of Nusantara's Colorful Fabrics

As many as 36 museums throughout Indonesia participated in displaying their superior collections at the 2025 Nusantara Fabric Exhibition at the Ranggawarsita Museum in Semarang. Carrying the theme "The Appearance of Nusantara Textile Colors", the exhibition was opened by the Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, and attended by the Deputy Governor of Central Java Taj Yasin, and the Chairperson of the Central Java Dekranasda Nawal Arafah Yasin, Friday (9/5/25).

The Head of the Central Java Provincial Education and Culture Office, Sadimin, said that the activity would last until May 12, 2025. Throughout the exhibition, the Central Java Provincial Government is targeting 6 thousand visits.

He added that a number of agendas enlivened the fabric exhibition. There were batik workshops, museum discussion nights at Lawang Sewu, museum management seminars at Akpol, an art expression stage, an expo and a fashion show from fashion vocational schools throughout Central Java.

Sadimin said that collaboration between museums such as in this exhibition is very important, as a means of promoting and publishing the diversity and richness of Nusantara textile works to the public. The exhibition is also to increase the existence of the museum as an interesting educational tour for the community, especially the younger generation. From an institutional perspective, it can also build harmony and connectivity of museums in Indonesia.

"The target number of visitors is 6,000 people, consisting of students, college students, and the general public," said Sadimin.

Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen felt proud because Central Java was trusted to host the Nusantara Fabric Exhibition. He said that Indonesia, including Central Java, has a wealth and diversity of Nusantara textiles that must continue to be maintained.

So far, he added, the Central Java Provincial Government has continued to be committed to preserving culture. In addition to improving and updating museum facilities, there is also a policy of wearing traditional clothing every Thursday for provincial government employees.

According to Taj Yasin, Nusantara textiles not only show the identity of each region, but there is a philosophy and values of life. In certain batik motifs, for example, it implies the message 'alon-alon waton kelakon' or slowly but surely.

"When talking about cloth or batik, it is full of philosophy, full of the culture that we have," said Gus Yasin, the deputy governor's nickname.

On that occasion, Gus Yasin and Fadli Zon visited the stands that displayed various collections of cloth. They looked amazed when they saw students who were skilled at canting, at the Pekalongan Batik Museum stand.

Fadli Zon also reviewed and inaugurated the new building facilities at the Ranggwarsita Museum. Namely, Graha Ranggawarsita, The Wonderful Heritage of Central Java, and Masterpiece of Ranggawarsita Museum.

Fadli Zon appreciated the Central Java Provincial Government for preparing the Nusantara textile exhibition well. According to him, the activity that introduced various selected collections from museums throughout Indonesia was part of an effort to advance culture.

"We appreciate the implementation of the Nusantara traditional textile exhibition at the Ranggawarsita Museum. This is part of advancing culture, especially since traditional textiles are very diverse," said Fadli Zon.

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