- TikTok @cecesunandar163
Jakarta – The Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and the first lady, Iriana Jokowi officially opened the "Istana Berkebaya" fashion show event on last Sunday at the Merdeka Palace. This is celebrated in honor of Indonesia's 78th birthday.
In this event, the Head of State said that traditional clothing kebaya is a symbol of Indonesian people characters.
"Kebaya is a symbol of the Indonesian people who are elegant, gentle, polite, and unpretentious," President Widodo said when opening the event held in front of the Merdeka Palace, on Sunday.
The President was seen wearing a black koko sadariah, a black peci cap, and a green sarong wrapped around the neck. Meanwhile, the First Lady wore a red kebaya encim and red Betawi cloth.
Just like other Betawi cultural events, the first lady recited a rhyme before opening the event.
Para Menteri berlenggok di Istana Berkebaya
- Sekretariat Kabinet Republik Indonesia
"Before the event starts, with President Jokowi's permission, I want to recite a rhyme: 'bunga menur bunga rafflesia. Mekar sekuntum, merah merona. Citra luhur wanita Indonesia. Pribadi anggun dengan kebaya'," the first lady said, which was responded to by loud applause from the audience.
The pantun translation in English is:
"Menur flower, Rafflesia flower,
Their blooming buds are rosy red.
The noble image of Indonesian women,
Elegantly by wearing kebaya."
The Istana Berkebaya event was a fashion show of kebaya encim that originates from Betawi culture.
The models walking on stage included women ministers in the Onward Indonesia Cabinet, spouses of the ministers, ambassadors of friendly countries, and the general public.
The kebaya fashion show was initiated by the Jakarta Provincial Government.
Meanwhile, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin attended the event, who was seen wearing a white sadariah shirt with a black sarong accompanied by Mrs. Wury Estu Ma'ruf Amin who wore a white encim kebaya.
The event involved 401 models who cat walked on the 200-meter-long stage set up in front of the Merdeka Palace.
Some ministers, among others, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, and Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Angela Tanoesoedibjo, attended the event.
The government has encouraged the preservation of the kebaya as a symbol of national identity and culture, by making July 24 as the National Kebaya Day.
