Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) deputy head of research, education and development Abdur Rohim Boy Berawi said on Monday that 56 selected creative workers would be facilitated to work with fabric artists from Sawahlunto in West Sumatra, Lampung, Brebes and Rembang in Central Java and Ngada in East Nusa Tenggara under the new Innovative and Creative through Collaboration of Archipelago programme.

“The government plans to promote traditional fabrics globally in collaboration with urban designers and traditional artists from across the country,” Boy said.

From June 20-24, participants will attend training and briefing sessions by several mentors in Jakarta. From June 27-July 2, they will go to selected regions to observe the problems faced by local citizens.

The participants are the winners of various competitions, including Indonesia Fashion Week, Indonesia’s New Invention of Design and the Bravacasa Design Challenge.

Students of the Jakarta Institute of Arts will also participate, he added.

Bekraf head Triawan Munaf said participants were expected to learn everything about the making of traditional fabrics, including cultural history. In return, urban workers were expected to encourage local people, with the help of each local administration, to market their products and promote them internationally.

“The main strength is the narrative behind the cultural products, whether about birth, funeral rites or other things. It makes the products more real and exotic,” Triawan said.