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Jokowi to lend own 'keris' collection to Surakarta museum
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo during the opening of the National Keris Museum in Surakarta, Central Java, on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017. (Biro Pers Setpres/File)
P
resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has promised to lend several pieces from his keris (ceremonial Javanese dagger) collections to the newly-opened National Keris Museum in Surakarta, Central Java.
“I’ll choose the good ones. I’ll deliver them directly to the city mayor [of Surakarta, FX Hadi Rudyatmo]. Maybe [I will lend] one, two, three or five,” Jokowi said during the museum’s opening ceremony on Wednesday.
According to Antara news agency, Jokowi enjoys collecting keris and praises the traditional dagger for having diverse values and cultural philosophies, which are part of the country's strengths.
Read also: Surakarta's Keris Museum puts hundreds of ancient keris on display
During his speech, Jokowi added that several heads of state openly admired keris as Indonesia's cultural heritage, as recognized by UNESCO in 2005.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, for instance, even showed some pieces from their own keris collections to Jokowi during bilateral meetings.
“They especially admire its values and philosophies,” said Jokowi.
The National Keris Museum, which is located in the Sriwedari cultural complex, displays 409 traditional weapons. (wir/kes)
