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THE INDONESIAN Batik Craftsmen and Entrepreneurs Association (APPBI), in collaboration with PT Satu Tujuan Event (SATUE), is holding the 2026 Puspa Nuswantara Batik Art Exhibition at the Assembly Hall of the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) from July 8–12, 2026. The organizers are targeting more than 25,000 visitors, with a potential transaction value of IDR20 billion during the exhibition.
According to APPBI Chairman Komarudin Kudiya, at the exhibition opening in Jakarta on Wednesday (July 8), 2026 said this exhibition is an effort to strengthen the national batik market, amidst the boom in batik-patterned textiles, which is considered to be increasingly stifling the livelihoods of artisans.
He stated that this exhibition serves as a promotional, educational, appreciation, and consolidation platform for artisans, batik entrepreneurs, cultural communities, academics, the media, the government, and the wider community to work together to preserve the sustainability of authentic Indonesian batik.
“Batik artisans have faced an extraordinary onslaught of batik textiles in recent years. Based on my own records and analysis, if we don’t immediately improve the trade, our batik could be extinct in the next 10 years, meaning it will drastically decline,” he affirmed.
Komarudin explained that the exhibition is expected to increase public appreciation for authentic batik while expanding market access for artisans and batik entrepreneurs from various regions.
“However, in recent years, the sustainability of authentic Indonesian batik has faced serious pressure due to the influx of batik-patterned textiles, batik-patterned cloth, and imitation batik products mass-produced using modern printing technology,” he elaborated.
He concluded that these products are often marketed at low prices and use the term “batik” without proper explanation of the production process. This situation makes it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish between hand-drawn batik, stamped batik, combination batik, and batik-patterned textiles.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK), Pratikno, who attended the event, stated that batik is an Indonesian cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO in 2009 and must be continuously preserved. It serves not only as a cultural identity but also as a source of livelihood for artisans and MSMEs.
“Batik is a noble cultural heritage of the nation recognized by UNESCO in 2009, and we must continue to preserve it, not only as a reflection of the nation’s culture but also as a means of supporting businesses,” Pratikno noted.
He also encouraged the public to support the sustainability of the batik industry by purchasing authentic batik products created by domestic artisans.
Likewise, GKBRAA Paku Alam X stated that this batik exhibition showcased batik collections from Pakualaman Yogyakarta as a form of respect for the heritage of royal batik and the rich aesthetics of classic batik, which holds high historical, symbolic, and cultural value.
“This exhibition is being held amidst the significant challenges facing the national batik industry. Indonesian batik is a national cultural heritage that not only holds economic value but also embodies historical, philosophical, and cultural values. Behind each piece of batik lies a long process involving the skills, perseverance, taste, and traditional knowledge of the artisans, from motif creation, to canting, dyeing, and finishing,” she concluded.
In addition to the product exhibition, this event also featured batik workshops, seminars, talk shows, fashion shows, business matching, and cultural arts performances. Through this exhibition, APPBI hopes to expand the national batik market and increase public appreciation for authentic batik amid the boom in batik-patterned textile products. [traveltext.id]
