The sheets of scarf fabrics were hung on the clothes line behind Building II FSRD on Thursday afternoon, (7/21/2016). Those sheets just dyed by the participants of Batik Short Course 2016 were occasionally flapping in the wind slowly. Those participants shared the stories about the patterns they made after dying session. They were introduced about Batik dying process by using synthetic dyes or natural dyes at the moment.
BatikShort Course
Since Monday, July 18th, 2016, nine foreign students took parts in a short course held by Textile Craft Department of Faculty of Arts and Design UNS. Those students were introduced into Batik including the training of stemple Batik and traditionally written Batik, Batik dying process, visiting Batik Dalem Hardjonegoro and Batik Pandono and staying overnight in Batik center village located in Sragen.
Yusuf Lomin as one of the participants admitted that Batik had been familiar for him. He added that the striking differences were the pattern of Batik itself. “I made the pattern of fish, flower, love, bond, king, and stars. I attempted to mix the pattern from Indonesia and from my homeland,” Yusuf uttered, on behalf of one of the universities in Malang coming from Africa. While showing his work, Yusuf explained the meaning of the pattern he made. “The king on the top and the love symbol represent peace. The fish and flowers surrounding represent the prosperity. I would like to promote the justice and peace,” he said.
Meanwhile, Burwan put the initial letter of his children and wife between the pattern of flowers and fish he drew. “This one is D, double D, my name and my boy’s name. This one is his mother’s name. We are family,” he explained the pattern while showing his work. Burwan who is the the student of postgraduate UNS tried to put his longing for his family through the pattern he made.
Culture Mission
Each short course participant had various reasons in joining the program during this week. It became the consideration to accept the participants. “We conducted the selection for the applicants and we chose nine participants based on their motivations in joining this program. They seem very enthusiast so we have to answer all of their questions,” Tiwi Bina Affanti explained as the head of Textile Craft Department.
Raeef Al- Tamimi, the student of FEB UGM coming from Yaman, shared the reasons why Batik attracts him. “I teach English and Arabian for the children. When I asked them about the unique character of their country, they said Batik. However, they did not understand why Batik becomes the character of Indonesia,” Raaef said. After enrolling in this short course, Raeef admitted that making Batik is difficult. “So I will not bargain anymore when buying Batik. Making Batik is really difficult,” he laughed.
Batik Short Course which was conducted for the first time aimed at targetting the course for the foreign students. Short Course Batik further will be the routine agenda of Textile Craft Department. The head of International Office, Taufiq Al Makmun, explained that Batik Short Course brings the mission to promote Indonesia through Batik.
As the preparation of the short course, Tiwi Bina Affanti encouraged her students to be the liaison officer and the interpreter of International Office. “There is no burden in language at this time. We keep using Bahasa but we also need the interpreter to help us communicate with the participants.” she said. [denty.red.uns.ac.id]
