Awards For Women Conservationists

Surakarta - To celebrate Kartini Day, to commemorate national heroine, Kartini, Indonesia`s women emancipator, the Solo Youth Heritage is awarding women who succeeded in preserving the local traditions and cultures at the Solo Square Surakarta yesterday evening. The event, held in Javanese tradition, was titled, “A Tribute to You, My Kartini.”

According to Luhung Acmad, Youth Heritage secretary, 10 nominees were selected by a panel of judges. They are women whose work is linked with tradition, such as sinden (traditional Javanese songs) singers, florists, the servants inside a Javanese palace, batik makers, traditional herbal drink (jamu) sellers, and traditional drama performers.

The nominees were selected by the Solo Youth Heritage team based on recommendations from the local people. “It is not easy to be a nominee,” Luhung said. They must show their dedication towards their profession and have at least 15 years of experience in their work.

At the event, the nominees must also demonstrate their expertise in front of the jury. However, the batik makers did not have the chance to show off their skills because they had to use a stove to perform and the room was air-conditioned, Luhung said.

The nominees were also required to tell the history and the role of their profession and its contribution to the public. To Luhung, this was a very important part, considering the public often underestimated their work. “Many people don`t know the importance of their work in preserving tradition,” he said.

The jury included academics, scholars and journalists. Ahmad Rafiq

Source: http://www.tempointeractive.com (23 April 2009)
Photo: http://www.pasarsolo.com

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