Chairperson of the National Crafts Council of Bali Province, Putri Suastini Koster, has called on the Indonesian Fabric Enthusiasts Community (KCBI) to play an active role in preserving the region’s traditional woven textiles.
This message was delivered during a visit by Chairperson of Indonesian Fabric Enthusiasts Community in Bali, Anak Agung Sagung Inten, at the Jayasabha Building in Denpasar on Monday, April 28, 2025.
During the meeting, Putri Koster expressed her appreciation for Indonesian Fabric Enthusiasts Community’s consistent efforts in safeguarding Indonesia’s traditional fabrics. She encouraged each regional branch of Indonesian Fabric Enthusiasts Community to proudly showcase their local woven identities during national events.
According to Update Bali, “Each region should express its cultural identity through the fabric it wears. In Bali’s case, that means highlighting our own traditional woven textiles,” she stated.
Weakens Local Economy
During the event, Putri Koster also voiced deep concern over the current state of Bali’s endek and songket textiles. Research has shown that a significant portion of endek fabrics sold in Bali are actually produced outside the island, particularly in Troso, Central Java.
This situation, she warned, not only weakens the local economy but also threatens the preservation of Balinese cultural heritage. Similarly, songket faces challenges, with many of its motifs being copied and reproduced as embroidery patterns.
According to Wartabalionline, “Balinese endek and songket motifs are already protected as communal intellectual property. Therefore, Balinese motifs are not to be imitated freely,” Putri Koster emphasized, urging respect for cultural intellectual rights.
She expressed hope that KCBI Bali would serve as an educational force in raising public awareness about the importance of preserving traditional fabrics. She stressed that community members should not only know how to wear these textiles but also understand how to care for them and appreciate their historical significance.
In response, Anak Agung Sagung Inten affirmed readiness to collaborate. “We fully support these preservation efforts and are prepared to be actively involved in upcoming programs,” she said.
The meeting was also attended by Acting Head of the Bali Provincial Office of Industry and Trade, I Made Sudarsana, along with other National Crafts Council officials.
On the same day, Ny. Putri Suastini Koster also extended her appreciation for the “Wastra Dibya Saswata” Fashion Show, held as part of the 7th Semarapura Festival at the Ida Dewa Agung Jambe Monument in Klungkung. She conveyed her pride and full support for the event, noting that it aligns with National Crafts Council’s mission to develop regional crafts, empower local artisans, and elevate cultural potential through innovative and creative approaches.
“As Chairperson of National Crafts Council in Bali, I am proud and fully support this event as it aligns with our mission to promote local crafts, empower artisans, and elevate cultural potential through creative innovation,” she concluded.
Sources: Update Bali, Wartabalionline
Feat Image: AntaraNews/Naufal Fikri Yusuf