Ambassador Amri says art and culture play an essential role in promoting people to people contacts

by ANSAR M BHATTI

ISLAMABAD, NOV 13 (DNA) –Ambassador of Indonesia Iwan S Amri has said Indonesian embassy is keen to promoting cultural and people to people relations between the two countries adding the Embassy organized Batik eco-print workshop with a view to developing interest of Pakistani talented youth about Indonesia’s diverse culture.

The ambassador made these remarks on the occasion of Batik Eco-print Workshop held at the Embassy premises. Earlier, the same workshop was organized at the Indonesian residence where spouses of ambassadors and heads of missions took part in Batik printing drill.

Ambassador Amri further said aim of the workshop was to provide the young talented Pakistani students of the twin cities with an opportunity of coming across the Indonesia philosophical, historical and cultural values thru the signature and most famous Indonesian textile which is called Batik.

He said art and culture play an essential role in promoting people to people contacts and Batik by all means has the potential to become powerful medium to enhance culture and academic linkages between our two countries who share proud history.

“Batik has been both an art and a craft for centuries and now it is increasingly becoming popular across the world as a wonderful creative medium. No wonder, Batik has also been added to the representative list of UNESCO’s world intangible heritage by recognizing Indonesia as the origin and home to this exclusive art form”.

The ambassador told, to conduct the workshop Batik maestros Fonna Melania Djuwaeni, Ulfah Yulaifah and Andri Purbawiana have travelled to Pakistan from Sukabumi region of Java Island.

They showcased and shared some basics of the wonderful ancient art form with participants of the workshop. He said, Fonna and her team specialized in Botanical Print Dyeing and mixed techniques or Eco-printing which is a technique that uses plants, leaves and flowers to leave their shapes, color and marks on the fabric.

Ambassador Iwan Amri also acknowledged and appreciated the management of CITHMS, Iqra University and representatives of National College of Arts for making the event a success.

He hoped this enduring collaboration will help promote people to people contacts and pave the way for the expanded cooperation in the spheres of education and career development between Indonesia and Pakistan.=DNA

=================