“They are really beautiful. I love them,” she said when she visiting a booth displaying Indonesian traditional fabrics, called “songket”, from Deli Serdang, a regency in North Sumatra, on Wednesday.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla’s wife Hj Mufidah Jusuf Kalla and the wives of 25 Cabinet ministers accompanied the First Lady during her visit.

During the visit, Iriana took the opportunity to talk with tenun (traditional hand-woven textile) manufacturers. “How long does it take to produce a piece of tenun? What happens if the thread is broken?” she asked them.

The First Lady appeared amazed listening to the explanations of the artisans, who said it took a minimum of around two weeks to produce a piece of tenun.

Iriana took a selfie in front of a coconut-fiber portrait of President Jokowi and VP Kalla. Seemingly very impressed with the handicrafts on offer, she bought various items in the exhibition.

The First Lady’s visit to Dekranasda North Sumatra was part of her activities in Medan City and Deli Serdang regency.

Earlier, Iriana visited the Miftahul Jannah early childhood education center (PAUD) in Tanjung Sari village, Batang Kuis district. She distributed writing books and headscarves to women and housewives during her visit. The activity was apparently spontaneous, as there was no such activity listed on her schedule. (ebf)

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