This time, the annual event featured 400 participants and was held in conjunction with the Jember Fashion Carnival and the Cirebon Caruban Carnival.

Themed "Astamurti Kawijayan", the carnival was divided into the six sub-themes of "Sekar Jagad" (batik patterns symbolizing beauty), "Wayang" (shadow puppets), "Topeng Panji" (masks symbolizing purity), "Legenda" (legends), "Mustika Jawa Dwipa" (Javanese heritage costumes) and "Jatayu" (mythical beings), allowing visitors to view a variety of rich costumes adorned with flowers, birds, wayang and masks.

Read also: Sacred Solo ceremony a must-see for culture enthusiasts

The costumes were created specially for this event and aimed to showcase the glory days of Javanese culture through their ornate designs.

The Solo Batik Carnival kicked off with the Bedaya dance performance, followed by an appearance by Surakarta Mayor FX Hadi “Rudy” Ryatmo. Dressed as the semi-divine bird Jatayu of the Ramayana Hindu epic, Rudy led the opening parade on foot from Sriwedari Stadium to Jl. Slamet Riyadi to finish at Fort Vastenburg.

“The Solo Batik Carnival is among Surakarta's most popular events. We will keep innovating and [recreating] the event,” said Rudy, adding that the carnival was one of the administration's major efforts to promote tourism.

Although the parade ended successfully, the committee and security personnel experienced a few minor issues with some overenthusiastic spectators, who blocked the route and disturbed the performers by asking them to pose for a selfie. (jes/kes)

Popular

The fragile promise of pluralism, religious freedom in Southeast Asia

Coffee, gold push up inflation to 1.95 percent in April

Furniture exporters decry new quarantine rule