So the Miss World pageant finals in Bali have come and go, but if you’re still keen, fret not: the finals of Putra Putri Batik Nusantara are due to take place tomorrow, October 2, 2013 at Taman Ismail Marzuki. I wrote about the finalist selection process some time ago, where I explained how hundreds of hopeful applicants were pared down to a final twenty-eight men and women. In the end, only two will rise as winners of Putra Putri Batik Nusantara 2013, where two will walk away with their rightfully-earned titles.
Finalists were selected based on a series of criteria established by judges, including Teamwork, Appearance, and Batik Knowledge, to name a few. At the quarantine phase of selections, they were also judged through a talent competition, whether it be speaking a foreign language or showing off their finesse in the performing arts, like singing or dancing.
Previous finalists were given the opportunity to travel around the country to learn the history and workmanship that goes behind the creation of batik. One such hotbed of batik activity they visited was the Central Javan city of Pekalongan, known for their eponymous style of batik that features colorful floral prints that have formed the backbone of the city’s economy.
But finalists haven’t been the only ones getting an education on the art of batik: previous winners have also taken their talents and knowledge of the craft around the archipelago as part of their tireless campaign to promote this Indonesian form of art. More importantly, they’ve taken this campaign as far out as Europe, making good on their promise to play their part in sharing batik with the world.
Once again, finals of this cultural-engagement-mission-meets-beauty-pageant will take place at Jakarta’s Taman Ismail Marzuki, on Wednesday, October 3, 2013. Check out their website for more info. Good luck to the finalists!
