Indonesia's National Crafts Council Aims to Elevate Artisans Globally at 46th Anniversary

The National Crafts Council (Dekranas) is finalizing preparations for its 46th anniversary celebration, scheduled to take place in Makassar, South Sulawesi, from July 9-12, 2026. Under the theme "Sustainable Creative Industry, World-Class Artisans," the event aims to both preserve Indonesia's rich cultural heritage and enhance the competitiveness of Indonesian artisans in the global marketplace. This celebration is seen as a crucial moment to honor the nation's cultural legacy and strengthen the role of small and medium-sized enterprises across the archipelago.

Dekranas is organizing a variety of activities designed to engage the public, creative communities, businesses, and the media. A key event will be the "Family Craft Creation Workshop: Weaving Warmth in the Digital Era" on July 9, 2026. This workshop will blend education on digital child protection with hands-on craft-making for parents and children, fostering creativity and cultural pride in the younger generation.

Beyond offline events, Dekranas is encouraging public participation through social media. Citizens are invited to share stories about the unique qualities of regional crafts using designated campaign hashtags. The council also seeks media support to amplify the promotion of local artisans' work internationally, aiming to replicate the success of previous anniversary events. Indri Angga Prabowo, Head of Promotion and Public Relations at Dekranas, emphasized the importance of media in disseminating positive information about the celebration nationwide and globally.

Dekranas, founded on the principle of cultural preservation, is committed to fostering craft innovation and empowering local artisans to contribute to the national economy. Prabowo highlighted the government's commitment, under President Prabowo Subianto, to making the creative economy, including the craft sector, a cornerstone of grassroots economic growth. "The state is present to ensure Indonesian artisans not only survive but can compete in the global market. Indonesia has extraordinary cultural wealth that reflects the nation's identity," Prabowo stated.