Forest Interactive partners with Difabel Zone this Batik Day in Indonesia to commemorate batik as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, a designation given by UNESCO in 2009.
Difabel Zone is a creative hub that provides the disabled community in Indonesia with the opportunity to boost their skills, creativity, and self-reliance by selling handmade batik products. The initiatives also empower people with disabilities to play a part in growing the nation’s economy.
Keeping Batik Art Alive
Batik is one of the most developed art forms of Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage, and it is commonly used in rituals, traditions, and celebrations. Featuring ornate geometric patterns, batik is a traditional cloth of Javanese origin made using a wax-resistant dyeing technique, either by drawing dots and lines with a spouted tool called canting, or by printing the resist with a copper stamp called cap.
By understanding and wearing batik properly, people can express their feelings and convey their messages to others through Indonesia’s cultural heritage.
Batik Team Building Workshop
To celebrate Indonesia’s Batik Day and uplift employee morale, Forest Interactive held a workshop where talents learned the history and philosophy of batik as well as the importance of preserving it as a form of intangible cultural heritage.
The workshop also aimed to bring talents together as a community and bridge the gap between the abled and the disabled.
“Batik has always been a great artsy escape for many who enjoy creating art,” said Vita Paulina, Marketing and Operations Manager at Forest Interactive. “This art class hosted by Difabelzone.id allowed our talents to express themselves by creating their very own batik masterpieces. We got to build memorable experiences together, even virtually!”
Additionally, Forest Interactive purchased handmade products from Difabel Zone, as its commitment to people with disabilities within Difabel Zone’s community. The products were then gifted to two lucky Forest Interactive talents who won them for best batik artwork during the session.
The owner of Difabel Zone, Lidwina Wuri, said that although there has been a rising awareness of batik’s traditional charm, more integrated efforts from all stakeholders are needed to preserve its intricate artistry and promote its beauty.
“We hope that this batik workshop will provide more people with greater exposure to the art, and help cultivate interest among our fellow Indonesian brothers and sisters,” she said.
Vita Paulina, Marketing and Operations Manager at Forest Interactive Indonesia also notes that she hopes that Indonesians can recognize the hard work and passion put into producing each piece, as it is a very delicate and time-consuming process to ensure its quality.
Forest Interactive’s commitment to support and care for each surrounding communities is ingrained in the company’s culture and will always be a priority. The pandemic and lockdown have certainly impacted the livelihoods of those in the culture and arts industry, including cultural economy. With that being said, Forest Interactive donated IDR 1.500.000 to the Difabel Zone.
Simultaneously, Forest Interactive managed to hit two key areas that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Decent Work & Economic Growth, as well as Sustainable Cities and Communities in boosting their economy through protecting the country’s cultural heritage.
For more information on Forest Interactive’s sustainability initiatives, visit forestcares.org
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