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Instagrammable traditional market coming soon to Blitar village
Highlighting bathok (coconut shell) handicrafts, Pasar Bathok (Bathok Market) is slated to open in September.
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Gebang Palace, the residence of Sukarno in Blitar, East Java. (Shutterstock/File)
A traditional market in Blitar, East Java is set to offer tourists an Instagram-worthy destination.
Highlighting bathok (coconut shell) handicrafts, Pasar Bathok (Bathok Market) is slated to open in September on Blitar's Jl. Kali Glagah, Tanjungsari, Sukorejo.
“The opening date is still tentative since we have to make sure that the venue is 100 percent ready,” Zafaya Listia, the coordinator of Generasi Pesona Indonesia (GenPI) Blitar, said as quoted by Kompas.com.
Other than being Instagrammable, the market is said to also feature a multifunction stage for live music, theater and dance performances.
Interestingly, transactions in the market will use tokens made of coconut shell provided by the management.
Don Kardono, a spokesman of the Tourism Ministry, said Pasar Bathok had great tourism potential.
Read also: A history of Jakarta’s five most popular markets
“There are many experiences offered here. The visitors can get many things related to the creative process of making coconut shell products and many more as Blitar is famous for such items,” he said.
Blitar has long exported coconut shell products such as home decorations, masks, fashion items and many more to Malaysia, Thailand and other international markets.
Don added that Pasar Bathok was located in conjunction with Bathok Tourism Village, which is expected to increase tourist accessibility to both attractions.
Pasar Bathok was introduced to the public during a soft launch event in late March, featuring many traditional games such as coconut shell stilts, bamboo stilts and table jump, as well as live music, a culinary festival and coconut shell craft workshops. (gis/kes)
