Museum exhibits rare West Java batik Nov 12, 2008
West Java Batik, based on a tradition dating back to 1430, is not as well known as batik from Solo, Yogyakarta and Pekalongan. "Only a few people know that West Java has its own traditional batik, which comprises the history and philosophy of the region in its beautiful motifs," said Dyah Damayanti, the head of the museum. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
Obama makes history Nov 11, 2008
AICHA Pekalongan, Central Java. Obama's victory means there's hope for minorities, and now the world knows that the capability of an individual is not determined by his/her skin color. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Editorial)
Soenjono Dardjowidjojo: The national linguistic icon Nov 3, 2008
Born in Kajen, a small village in the Central Javanese town of Pekalongan, Soenjono was the youngest of his fifteen siblings. His father was a village head and his mother an uneducated housewife who wanted her children to receive a high level of education. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Hendri Suprapto: Pursuing natural, eco-friendly fashion Sep 17, 2008
For that purpose, he has trained many batik makers in different cities like the Central Java towns of Pekalongan and Surakarta, up to Tuban and Surabaya, both in East Java. "BBKB can focus on research and development. The way I see it, it should be acting as a main source of know-how to spread knowledge and help build other areas to be the next centers," Hendri said. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Ki Sudirman Ronggo Darsono: The master of 'sabet' style Sep 12, 2008
"During the Javanese holy and auspicious month of Sura, the first month of the year in the Javanese calendar, I make an effort to visit different holy places and meditate there. I often stay up all night at my father's grave. "The kris dagger I wear in performances was a gift from the dalang Ganda Suraji from Pekalongan; he is one of my teachers in Javanese kebatinan and the art of kebal (invincibility). " Other places visited by kejawen practitioners who are dalangs are the grave of the wali... (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Bandung Batik sees a rising popularity Jul 4, 2008
Batik from the renowned batik towns of Surakarta and Pekalongan in Central Java as well as Bali and Yogyakarta have their own particular styles and features. However, few know that the West Java capital city Bandung also boasts a popular batik product known as Batik Bandung. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Traditional market revamp 'very costly' Jun 18, 2008
"We have also mapped similar potencies in Pekalongan and Solo in Central Java," he said. The government issued a presidential regulation in 2007, which, among other things, restricts the expansion of modern retailers, including supermarkets, hypermarkets and convenience stores, in certain zones. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Business)
Capgomeh: The localization of Chinese culture Feb 25, 2008
Kebaya Encim motifs are usually in the design of Pekalongan or Lasem batiks, which incorporate traditional Chinese patterns as opposed to those of Surakarta or Yogyakarta. Nowadays, Chinese women rarely wear kebaya encim as their daily dress, although batiks in this style are still available. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
The kebaya sheds its prim and proper image Feb 24, 2008
Batik from Cirebon, Pekalongan and Yogyakarta, and tenun ikat from Riau, Makassar, Lombok, Bali and Sumba, are contrasted with chiffon, tulle, raw silk, and metallic materials in the collection. Lenny also created modern twists on traditional kebaya designs -- think baby doll gowns and elbow-length balloon sleeves. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Radio connection cherished 80 years on Nov 16, 2007
NIROM also broadcast to Bandung, Sukabumi, Cirebon, Tegal, Pekalongan, Semarang, Solo, Yogyakarta, Magelang and Surabaya. Nina was of the opinion that the radio relationship was mutually beneficial to Holland, as the colonial power, and Indonesia as a colony. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Going the distance: 18 hours on a bus to Tegal Oct 22, 2007
The bus, on its way from Jakarta to Pekalongan, Central Java, was hardly moving along the Kanci turnpike in the West Java section of the north coast highway ... The bus would normally reach Pekalongan on Java's north coast in six hours, but the national homecoming ritual meant far more time on the road. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Two cultures meet in Lasem batik Jul 27, 2007
Many frequently associate batik, the hand-dyed textile unique to the archipelago, with Surakarta, Yogyakarta and Pekalongan. While the first two cities are famous for their standard motifs, like flaming gringsing, princely parangrusak and bridal sidomukti, Pekalongan's batik designs are not set, so are as free as that coastal culture ... Although both are coastal areas of the province, Pekalongan and Lasem have different batik motifs, owing to the two communities' dissimilar creative efforts and... (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Kartono Mohamad: Fighting for better medical services Jul 1, 2007
Kartono, a big fan of classical music, photography and wayang (Javanese puppetry), was born in a small town of Batang, Pekalongan, Central Java, in 1939. He graduated from the School of Medicine, University of Indonesia, and studied Medical Sociology at University of California in San Diego, America. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Int'l textile expo to help boost industry May 25, 2007
Of the 74,943 textile manufacturers operating in 21 areas, including the major production centers of Solo, Semarang, Pekalongan, Tegal, Sragen, Jepara and Kudus, 70 percent still use 15- to 25-year-old equipment. "With outdated apparatus, our productivity is falling. We won't be able to penetrate the tight competition on the global market. Banking circles even call Central Java's textile factories a 'sunset' industry," said Sulhadi. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Sukrismini: Passionate batik-making teacher May 10, 2007
In Indonesia, batik dates back to the 18th century and is found in different parts of the country, particularly Java cities like Surakarta, Yogyakarta, Cirebon and Pekalongan. Expertise in making traditional batik is usually passed from generation to generation. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Witnessed by a tree By D N Maru Feb 11, 2007
Pekalongan, 1924 There lived two friends Hermanto and Bagus in Pekalongan ... " Everyone was shocked and taken aback. The judge related his conversation with Bagus while Hermanto was away. He explained his reasoning behind holding Bagus guilty. He ordered Bagus to return the money with interest immediately. The verdict also included some penalties on Bagus, to be paid to the court. He also sentenced Bagus to serve three months behind bars on charges of cheating and fraudulent behavior. The jail... (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Senior citizens learn batik-making Jan 26, 2007
SEMARANG: Some 300 senior citizens from Jakarta, Bandung, Bogor, Sukabumi, Purwokerto, Semarang and Surabaya learned how to make batik in Wirokuto, Kemplong, Wiradesa, Pekalongan regency last Saturday ... Chairman of Dharma Wulan Foundation Pekalongan chapter Barlim Soebardjo said he organized the batik training in the coastal town to introduce the local culture to the fabric ... The Dharma Wulan entourage also watched a documentary called Enchantment of Batik, toured an exhibition, learned how... (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
George Junus Aditjondro: Standing by the country's marginalized Jan 9, 2007
George was born on May 27, 1946, in Pekalongan to a Javanese father and Dutch mother ... He said his father married a Dutch woman before coming home to Pekalongan to establish a law firm. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
