Reasons why Solo is included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network
Surakarta or Solo City, Central Java is famous as the center of Javanese culture which is still well preserved today. Parekraf friends can find many interesting things related to culture when traveling to Solo City. Starting from batik cloth with its flagship motifs: Parang Kusumo and Truntum, to cultural centers that still preserve traditions passed down from generation to generation.
This attraction is what finally succeeded in bringing Solo into one of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network lists. ​Quoting from the page en.unesco.orgthe UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was formed in 2004 to promote cooperation between cities that places creativity as a strategic factor in sustainable urban development.
Overall, currently the UNESCO Creative Cities Network covers 350 cities from 100 countries representing seven creative fields, including Crafts and Folk Arts, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music.
The success of Solo City in being included in the ranks of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network was not achieved easily. Bearing in mind, this is Solo City’s third attempt to enter the UCCN list, after previously failing twice in the selection since 2017. This success makes Solo City one of 55 cities that have also successfully become new members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of crafts. and folk art (folk arts and crafts).
The inclusion of Solo City on the UNESCO Creative Cities Network list is a very good step for the tourism sector and creative economy. Because, recognition from UNESCO can open up business opportunities and employment opportunities, as well as improve the economy and welfare of the people of Solo City, especially creative industry players.
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Photo: People’s wayang performance art at Taman Sriwedari Solo (Shutterstock/Egi Eligius)
The Key to the Success of the City of Solo in Entering UCCN
As mentioned at the beginning, the success of Solo City in being included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network list requires quite a long effort. In 2023, apart from the city of Solo, there will actually be four County town others in Indonesia who also applied to be included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network list.
The list of cities/regencies that have applied to be included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network 2023 nomination includes: Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta (sector folk arts and crafts); Salatiga City, Central Java (gastronomic sector); Belitung City, Bangka Belitung Islands (gastronomic sector); and finally the city of Solo, Central Java.
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The selection of the city of Solo as a UNESCO Creative Cities Network category for crafts and folk arts is actually quite reasonable. Remember, the city of Solo is famous for various performing arts and culture which are widely known among tourists. Just mention one of the annual events Solo International Performing Arts (SIPA) which has succeeded in gaining attention at the international level.
Apart from that, there are several cultural events in the city of Solo that are interesting to watch directly, such as Solo Dancing, Solo Batik Carnival, Grebeg Sudiro, and Solo Keroncong Festival. On the other hand, the selection of the City of Solo as a UNESCO Creative Cities Network cannot be separated from the many places to watch performing arts that really reflect the culture of the City of Solo. Starting from the Central Java Cultural Park, Mangkunegaran Temple, Balekambang Park, to most recently Lokananta.
Until now, these places still regularly hold performing arts to preserve local culture. Like a puppet show, kethoprakRamayana ballet, wayang kulit performances, and contemporary performing arts.
For these various reasons, it is not surprising that the city of Solo has succeeded in being included in the ranks of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, right?
READ ALSO: Lokananta, Center for Gathering of Today’s Creative Industry Players
Cover: One of the tourist icons in the city of Solo, Pasar Gede (Shutterstock/Renhue)