Jokowi, First Lady Iriana celebrate National Kebaya Day

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and First Lady Iriana, on Wednesday, attended the peak commemorative event of the 1st National Day of Kebaya, which is a traditional blouse worn widely by women across Indonesia.

The president was spotted wearing batik clothing of a blend of brown and white, while his wife sported a blue velvet kebaya at the event.

The commemorative event featured a showcase of eight legendary kebayas from the collection of Mrs. Tien Soeharto, the wife of the second Indonesian president, Soeharto.

Moreover, several national singers enlivened the event by belting out musical performances. The performers comprised Sundari Soekotjo and a vocal group comprising Andien Aisyah, Yuni Shara, Rieka Roeslan, Nina Tamam, and Iga Mawarni as the members.

Around nine thousand women hailing from various regions in Indonesia attended the commemoration.

Chairperson of the Indonesian Women's Congress (Kowani) Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo expressed belief that President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana's participation in the activity would strengthen Indonesia's commitment to protecting and preserving kebaya as one of its national assets.

She highlighted that the president's presence is expected to convince UNESCO to inscribe kebaya on its list of intangible cultural heritage, as proposed jointly by Indonesia and several Southeast Asian countries.

Earlier, she remarked that the commemorative event, adopting "Preserve Culture by Proudly Wearing Kebaya" as its theme, would be held in line with Presidential Decree No.19 of 2023 concerning the national day.

"The National Kebaya Day aims to introduce and re-echo kebaya as part of the history of the struggle of Indonesian women to strengthen people's love and pride in the identity of their nation and Motherland," she stated on Tuesday (July 23).

Wiyogo then expressed optimism about the commemoration of the national day empowering Indonesian women and stimulating the national economy.

"Through kebaya, Indonesian women can level up their class and achieve progress," she noted.