Papua – A fashion show by designers from the Papua Youth Creative Hub (PYCH) assisted by the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) enlivened the commemoration of National Children’s Day (HAN) 2024. The activity was held at Istora Papua Bangkit, Jayapura, Papua, Tuesday (23/7/2024) It was attended by President Joko Widodo.
PYCH designers’ work displays a variety of cultural diversity. They also show the natural beauty of the archipelago through the designs worn by young Papuan people. Apart from that, there are also those who use the typical Papuan noken.
This shirt design, which displays culture and diversity, was presented beautifully in front of President Jokowi. All are the work of Papua Youth Creative Hub designers. They did a fashion show accompanied by singing from little artist Chatrina Ruth Douw.
Jokowi in an interview admitted that he was impressed with the work and performance of Papuan children at the event.
“We see that in the future these children must be truly prepared. “Not only smart, not only intelligent, but also insightful and characterful,” said Jokowi after the event.
In his press statement via the Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat, Jokowi also commented on the very high enthusiasm of the children. This is proven by the large number of children who took part in traditional arts and culture performances at the 2024 HAN event.
Thousands of children wore traditional Papuan clothing while performing a colossal dance entitled “Tanah Kitorang”. They looked very united when performing a dance based on the original dance of Bumi Cenderawasih, resulting in a very interesting performance.
“This is probably the first time that the highlight of National Children’s Day has been held in Papua and it has been carried out on a large scale and the children have enjoyed it. I also don’t want to give a welcoming speech because it’s children’s day. “A place for children to interact, play, have fun,” said Jokowi.
Not surprisingly, the children’s performance also set a record from the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI). Not only colossal dances, other children from various regions in Papua also performed marching parades and marching bands.
This creativity is considered valuable capital for the young generation in Papua to develop their region into a more advanced future. Jokowi also advised local governments and all levels of society to support these children.
“These children are indeed creative. So, Indonesia’s creative industry starts with children as we saw earlier. “The dancing is colossal and the children are very soulful, yes our DNA is there,” he said.
Finally, Jokowi also advised children in Papua to continue learning to develop their own potential. This was conveyed directly to the Papuan children who gathered around the president when interviewed by the media crew.
One of the parties who has contributed to developing community creativity in Papua is PYCH. The BIN program was inspired by President Joko Widodo’s mission to create a Golden Indonesia 2045.
The development of creativity and various potentials in Papua is carried out through various activities that always involve the community. PYCH has also now developed rapidly by producing superior young Papuans through creative industries, agriculture and fisheries, forming young entrepreneurs, developing MSMEs and technology.
The success of PYCH in Jayapura will become a role model which is planned to be followed by other areas such as Manokwari City, West Papua. Not only that, the plan is that the Youth Creative Hub in Aceh called Amanah (Aneuk Muda Aceh Unggul dan Besar) will also be inaugurated in the near future.
