Written on 15 April 2023
By: Wima Brahmantya
I was originally scheduled to be a speaker at a batik promotion + social event today. But it was cancelled. Here's the story...
About 2 weeks ago two young "batik Blitar ambassadors" came to De Karanganjar to propose sponsorship for the event. Deal, we can help.
Then I asked them: "Does Blitar already have a signature batik?"
They mentioned one brand of batik. Then I asked them to enter the Noegroho Museum. 10 minutes later they came back and mentioned the name "Batik Tutur". Finally I explained the history of Batik Tutur, and how complicated the struggle was to 'bring back' the batik from the Netherlands to Blitar.
A few days later I was informed that I was asked to be a Batik Tutur speaker at the event. I asked if it would be okay if I brought Batik Tutur while there was a particular batik that was being highlighted there? They said no problem. Okay, deal.
When I was already preparing Batik Tutur to be exhibited tomorrow, I got another call from the committee apologising for having to cancel my attendance. Of course, the reason was as subtle as possible, but I insisted on the real reason.
In essence, there were parties who objected to Batik Tutur, which is "batik kabupaten", being discussed at the event.
From a thematic, business, and administrative perspective, I can understand their objections.
But alas, if they had known that the Batik Tutur called "Batik Afkomstig Uit Blitar" documented in 1902 was geographically actually in the area of "Blitar city", but administratively belonged to "Blitar district".
Because in that year the city of Blitar did not yet exist, it was only in 1906 that the city of Blitar was established. So administratively the entire Blitar area at that time was under the Regency.
The committee apologised to me and I replied that I was fine, there was no pay for being a speaker anyway.
This is just a lesson for the sons and daughters of Batik, based on my 10 years of experience leading DKKB, sometimes good intentions are hampered by trivial administrative matters like this. Not to mention the egocentric matter.
Photo caption: Batik Tutur at Noegroho Museum - De Karanganjar.
#dekaranganjar #batiktuturblitar
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