Published on July 13, 2014
On Friday, 11 July 2014, Indonesia’s First Lady, Ani Bambang Yudhoyono officially opened the Creative Economy Festival (FESRA) 2014 at the Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta. This was followed by the official launch of the book entitled “Creative Economy: Towards the New Competitiveness of Indonesia 2025” by the Minister for Tourism and the Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu
On the occasion Minister Mari Pangestu also presented the Dharma Cipta Utama , Karya dan Karsa Awards to a number of national personalities who have contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of creative values in Indonesia’s culture as well as to the the development of the country’s creative economy.
Minister Mari Elka Pangestu explained that FESRA was a program undertaken by the Wives of the United Indonesia Solidarity Cabinet (SIKIB ) which is aimed to provide a platform for Indonesai’s diverse creative talents to showcase their masterpieces and to display successes achieved in the creative economy developed in the country.
“Looking back at recent developments over the years, I am optimistic about the future of the creative economy in Indonesia, with FESRA as one of platforms through which we celebrate our success in the development of our creative economy” said Mari Elka Pangestu.
No less than 220 creative participants have taken part in showcasing their works in various fields, in particular in the area of craft, design, fashion, and culinary products. The exhibition is open daily for the the public from 11th to 14th July 2014 and is, moreover, highlighted with music and art performances. The event also presents “iconic areas” displaying masterpieces of Indonesia’s creative economy, and representations from 15 creative industries.
The theme” “Limitless Harmony in Shapes and Patterns”” is reflected in the diverse creative works currently displayed. One of these is the “Napicraft”, which are best products made by inmates (or Narapidana/Napi in Bahasa Indonesia) in a number of prisons across the country, who have been given special training.
The Book on Indonesia’s Creative Economy
While, the Book “Creative Economy: Towards the New Competitiveness of Indonesia 2025” is a result of in depth research and mapping of 15 creative industries that identify strategic issues and formulate short and medium terms action plans towards the optimum development of creative economy. The book is a revision of the previous “Indonesia’s Creative Economy Development Plan 2025” which became the basis for Presidential Instruction no.6 of the Year 2009 on the Development of the Creative Economy.
Mari Pangestu also added that 5 years after the book was launched, significant improvements have been made in Indonesia’s Creative Economy , in its economic contribution, as well as increased understanding and appreciation of the potentials offered by the creative economy. Moreover, political commitments were also made at the institutional level through the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.
