VIVAnews - The diplomatic community in Geneva, Switzerland, recently enjoyed an impressive presentation of traditional Indonesian woven cloth, known as “Tenun”. Laudatory comments such as “Oh la la, Tenun Indonesia c’est splendide et tres elegant!” could be heard amongst the gathering at the Asian Women’s Circle Luncheon.
The event was hosted by Madame Lista Damayanti Djani, the wife of Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the UN, WTO and other International Organizations, at their official residence in Geneva on 25 February 2010.
The event was attended by numerous Female Ambassadors/Permanent Representatives and spouses of the Ambassadors/Permanent Representatives of Asian countries in Geneva.
“To this end, Indonesia has very much been associated with batik. Besides batik, other forms of Indonesian traditional clothes have not been well known and exposed to the international community," said Madame Djani in her welcoming speech as hostess of the luncheon.
"Bearing this in mind, we are trying to introduce “Tenun” as another form of Indonesian traditional cloth which is as much enchanting and alluring as batik” she said.
She went on to explain that a number of the traditional Indonesian tenun fabrics being modelled and displayed at the event originated from various parts of Indonesian provinces, including from South Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara, East Kalimantan, South Sumatera, and Lampung.
In spite of varieties in pattern, the production and usage of natural colour generally follow similar methods which have been passed down through generations. In short, tenun as a living heritage of traditional woven cloth perfectly symbolizes Indonesia as a living example of “unity in diversity.”
Photo Caption: Madame Lista Damayanti Djani gave a presentation on Kain Tenun Indonesia before the diplomatic community in Geneva. (VIVAnews/Office of the Indonesian Permanent Representative in Geneva)
Apart from the presentation of the intricate woven fabrics, the event concluded with a special lunch. Indonesian world-wide known culinaries such as chicken sate, spicy fried fish with yellow pickles, steamed tofu with mushrooms and spicy eggplant were served to guests from traditional Indonesian potteries.
Majority female Ambassadors/Permanent Representatives and spouses of the Ambassadors/Permanent Representatives from fellow Asian countries, who have attended The Asian Women’s Circle Luncheon, come from Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, China, the Philippines, Hong Kong SAR, India, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, and Turkey.
Representatives from other international organizations such as Fondation pour Geneve and from the local media including Geneva Prestige Magazine were also present at the gathering.
