Magnus Hendratmo

Thousands of people lined up along Jl. Pemuda in Klaten, Central Java, on Saturday despite the scorching sun. They were enthusiastic about watching the Klaten Lurik Carnival, which coincided with Klaten’s 214^th anniversary.

Lurik is a fabric with a tiny, striped motif, which is typical clothing of rural Javanese people.

The carnival began from the 0-kilometer of the town with at least 36 participants dressed in lurik.

For 2 km, participants showcased their unique designs accompanied by traditional and contemporary music. Spectators watched a fashion show on the street, as well as something of collaboration between street music and dance.

One of the performers was the Amigo dance troupe, coached by Edi Sulistyanto, who combined fashion show and dance with a theme of "Goddess Sri" (or Shridevi, the goddess of rice and fertility) and Sadono (who resembles farmers) – which describes the agrarian culture of Klaten
people.

“Gone are challenges and disasters. Goddess Sri has transformed into a paddy and reached the golden days,” said artistic designer Joko Aswoyo.

Klaten Regent Sri Mulyani hoped the carnival would help promote lurik overseas. [yan]