WACI Adopts 'Wastra Nusantara' Theme to Preserve Traditional Fabrics at JFC 2026

The Wonderful Artchipelago Carnaval Indonesia (WACI) adopted the theme of ‘wastra nusantara’ to preserve traditional fabrics at the world-class Jember Fashion Carnaval (JFC) 2026, held in front of the Jember Regency Government Office, East Java, on Saturday. David Susilo, Chairman of the Indonesian Carnival Association (AKARI), stated that the theme aims to preserve and enhance the economic value of distinctive traditional fabrics such as batik, weaving, songket, ulos, and tapis in the modern era. He explained that this is part of cultural preservation based on regional artistic philosophy, allowing wastra nusantara to celebrate identity and safeguard heritage amidst diversity. The various riches of Indonesian traditional fabrics, from ulos and woven textiles to batik, became the primary focus for creating works on the WACI JFC stage this year. He emphasised a focus on authentic regional culture using traditional fabrics, distinguishing these costumes from the JFC talent costumes. WACI focuses on promoting regional culture and arts with the wealth of wastra nusantara from Sabang to Merauke to celebrate identity and safeguard cultural heritage in diversity. Representatives from various regencies, cities, and provinces displayed their regional cultural wealth and local products through a blend of unique costumes, traditional fabrics, regional arts, distinctive accessories, and art representing their respective local wisdom. The nine contingents in the Wonderful Artchipelago Carnaval Indonesia included East Java Agropolitan, comprising several regencies such as Nganjuk, Kediri, Tuban, Madiun, and Trenggalek; the Nusantara Indigenous Community from West Nusa Tenggara; the Balikpapan City contingent; West Kotawaringin Regency; the East Java Empire contingent from Malang City and Kediri Regency; followed by Central Lombok Regency; Sleman Regency; Semarang City; and finally Badung Regency, Bali.