The Indonesian Umbrella Festival 2024 “FESPIN XI”
Surakarta, LPM Campus – The 2024 Indonesian Umbrella Festival, or FESPIN XI, takes place in Balekambang Park, Solo, from September 6th to 8th of 2024. The event showcased more than 2,000 traditional umbrellas that beautified the park, as well as featuring cultural works from 34 cities in Indonesia. With the theme “Catra Wastra”, this festival brings together the charm of Traditional Umbrellas and the Wastra of the Archipelago, creting artistic and creative combination of cultural heritage.
The Umbrella Festival targets the locals and surrounding area residents, as well as those interested in traditional cultural festivals. The event aims to educate the public about the history and function of umbrellas, which are not only protective from the rain, but also have high artistic value.Organized by the Mataya Group, the festival is a major event that has secured organizing rights. Preparations for the festival took about a month, which included recruiting volunteers, organizing the event rundown, and gathering booths for the food market.
One of the organizing committee (Hizkia) of the FESPIN XI 2024 revealed that the event featured various umbrella creations from various cities in Indonesia, as well as cultural performances from Thailand as part of an international collaboration. In addition to art performances, the festival also features a food market that offers a various Indonesian culinary specialties, aiming to promote the archipelago’s culture to local and foreign visitors. Hizkia hoped that the festival will continue in the coming years with better organization.
Some visitors learned about the Umbrella Festival through social media such as TikTok and Instagram, which attracted them to come from various places, including Yogyakarta, to witness the various Indonesian cultures on display. “I was very impressed to see the cultural performances at this Umbrella Festival, especially the unique and interesting umbrella creations. The performances from several regions and also from other countries, such as Thailand, were truly outstanding. This event exceeded my expectations and provided many benefits, especially in introducing culture, history and art to my family, including my grandchildren who can learn more about the Majapahit and Borobudur kingdoms,” said one of the visitors. They hoped that this festival can be continue to be held every year and get better, so that the umbrella tradition is preserved and support to “UMKM”.
Writer : Farah Alifa Nur Shabrina (Public Health ’22)
Editor : Shafira Ayyu Listia Azizah (Communication’22)
Reporters :
– Madina Siti Nur Aisyah (Public Health ’23);
– Shafira Ayyu Listia Azizah (Communication Science ’22);
– Syahan Rafiqul Islam (Communication Science ’24);
– Amelia Pramais Sella (English Education ‘22);
– Siska Octavia (Accounting ’22);
– Binta Alifah Husna (Physiotherapy ’22).
