Dekranas 46th Anniversary in Makassar: Selvi Gibran Urges Craftsmen to Go Global
National Crafts Council (Dekranas) Chairwoman Selvi Gibran Rakabuming officially opened the peak celebration of Dekranas’ 46th Anniversary at Trans Studio Mall (TSM) Makassar on Friday. In front of more than 3,000 administrators from Dekranas and Regional Dekranas (Dekranasda) across Indonesia, Selvi stressed the importance of shifting focus from the quantity of ceremonial activities to the quality of coaching that has a real impact on local artisans.
Carrying the theme ‘Sustainable Creative Works, Artisans Go Global’, the event became a crucial momentum for the revival of the national craft sector. The opening was marked by Selvi Gibran beating the Pajjajari Drum, followed by a tumpeng cutting procession. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Bank Indonesia and Dekranas regarding the synergy of national craft sector development programmes.
In her speech, Selvi Gibran expressed high appreciation to the city of Makassar as a dynamic and culturally rich host. Honouring local traditions, Selvi appeared wearing a pink-hued Baju Bodo complete with a typical Bugis-Makassar headband. This step was followed in unison by the board members, including Dekranas Daily Chair Tri Tito Karnavian and South Sulawesi Governor Andi Sudirman Sulaiman, who also wore local traditional attire.
‘Makassar always attracts attention. Today we appear colourful according to the characteristics of the Makassar people. Everyone looks beautiful and stunning. As the Makassar people say, cantik na ngaseng, as the Bugis people say, mancentik manengki,’ said Selvi, greeted by cheers from the participants.
However, behind the festivities, Selvi provided notes on the future direction of the organisation. She asserted that Dekranas’ success should no longer be measured by how many programmes are held, but by the concrete solutions presented to answer the problems of artisans.
‘It is not only the quantity of coaching that is needed, but the quality of coaching that truly targets the problems of artisans so that we can find the right solutions,’ stressed the wife of Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
Selvi reminded that the challenges of the global market are increasingly complex due to rapidly changing consumer tastes and the acceleration of digitalisation. Therefore, craft products based on local raw materials such as ceramics, natural fibres, stone, wood, and metal must be encouraged to move up the value chain through improved quality standards, attractive packaging, and environmentally friendly principles.
‘Dekranas and Dekranasda must not only be event organisers. They must become companions, coaches, and facilitators who help open access to capital, design training, packaging, digitalisation, global marketing, financial management, and export licensing,’ Selvi added. She also requested that every training programme have measurable targets and sustainable mentoring until artisans are able to penetrate the international market.
After giving her directives, Selvi Gibran together with Tri Suswati Tito Karnavian directly reviewed the Kriya and Wastra Stand exhibition on the ground floor of TSM Makassar. The exhibition featured 200 stands from various provincial, regency, and city Dekranasda across Indonesia showcasing the nation’s finest craft products as a showcase of the country’s cultural wealth.