Proud to Wear Kebaya at Prambanan Temple, Celebrating Diversity and Strengthening Unity
A total of 1.500 women dressed in kebaya of various styles filled Brahma Field, Prambanan Temple Tourism Park complex, Klaten, to participate in the 2nd National Kebaya Day commemoration, themed "Proud to Wear Kebaya," on Thursday (July 24, 7). This second annual event serves as a momentum for the preservation of UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage and a statement of authentic identity for women in Southeast Asia.
This event was held as a follow-up to the enactment of Presidential Regulation No. 19 of 2023 concerning National Kebaya Day, which is commemorated every July 24th. Participants came from 75 women's organizations across five Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Brunei Darussalam. The event also featured a performance by 600 angklung players from 14 Indonesian women's organizations.
InJourney Destination Management supports this event by presenting a variety of exciting activities, including cloth-making workshops , janur (leaf palm) workshops, a kebaya market, and a temple picnic. These activities are part of our commitment to making cultural heritage areas into living spaces relevant to today's world.
IDM Commercial Director Hetty Herawati said that the National Kebaya Day event at Prambanan Temple is part of our concrete steps in making the cultural heritage site a stage for cultural and national expression.
"We believe that preserving cultural heritage is not just the government's responsibility, but a collective calling for all of us as citizens. Today, one thousand women have answered that call by wearing kebaya as a symbol of their love for Indonesian identity," explained Hetty Herawati.
The Chairperson of Proud to Wear Kebaya for National Kebaya Day, Prof. Wiendu Nuryanti, emphasized that the kebaya is a cultural symbol that must be kept alive in everyday life. She reminded Indonesia not only to be proud of its cultural richness but also to be able to preserve and develop it.
Wiendu Nuryanti, Chairperson of the Proud to Wear Kebaya for National Kebaya Day 2025, stated that the commemoration of National Kebaya Day is more than just a parade. Proud to Wear Kebaya 2025 is a collaborative space, combining aesthetics, education, and cultural expression. Furthermore, this activity aims to foster a love of the kebaya and promote it as an intangible cultural heritage.
"We want to unite what is called tangible cultural heritage, such as the 10 world cultural heritages designated by UNESCO, and we have 13 intangible world cultural heritages. In fact, the two cannot be separated. Therefore, holding this afternoon's event to unite the kebaya at the world kebaya heritage site is a perfection in my opinion," he explained.
Deputy Chairperson of the DIY PKK Movement Team, GKBRAA Paku Alam, said that the kebaya is not just traditional clothing, but a symbol of Indonesian women's identity that has survived through various eras but remains sustainable and graceful.
"The kebaya is a symbol of Indonesian women's identity. Today, we not only wear it, but also pass it on. I encourage all Indonesian women to continue to be proud of wearing the kebaya and to help preserve and preserve our ancestral heritage, proclaiming our nation's identity to the world," she explained.
National Kebaya Day, observed annually on July 24th, is not just about fashion, but also about the spirit of togetherness, the role of women, and the preservation of the nation's noble cultural values. Through the kebaya, diversity is celebrated and unity is strengthened.
