The National Art Gallery Square 500 in the Bulgarian capital is hosting an exhibition of Indonesian batik and Bali art between May 21 and June 26.

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in cooperation with the National Gallery in Sofiaproudly presented “The Indonesian Batik and Art-Craft Exhibition” on May 21.

The exhibition is part of a series of events celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Bulgaria.

The selected batik textiles shown in this exhibition, most of which date back to the early 19th century together with more recent samples, are from the personal collection of H.E. Sri Astari Rasjid, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia for the Republic of Bulgaria, Albania, and Macedonia.

She is one of Indonesia's leading contemporary artists and has exhibited her works throughout the world.

Batik is one of Indonesia’s most highly developed art forms and occupies a special position in the country’s history and culture. Indonesian Batik indeed has been placed as a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO in 2009.

The development of batik in Indonesia has been strongly reflected in its tradition and culture. A succession of religions (Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam), waves of colonisation (Chinese, Indian, Arab, Portuguese, Dutch and English) and the development of highly sophisticated culture in the courts of Java and Sumatra which encouraged the supremacy of aristocracy, had all left their imprint on Indonesian Batik.

Aside from batik, the exhibition also presents numbers of interesting Balinese art and crafts such as painting and woodcarving.

Bali is one of the provinces in Indonesia that has been regarded by millions of real travelers as one of the best islands in the world. Balinese has made art out of the most basic necessities in their daily life and channeled their creative energy to create beautiful things through painting, sculpture, and carving.

Last but not least, this exhibition is aimed at introducing Indonesia's richness of art and culture to the Bulgarian audience, which hopefully will improve and enrich the 60-year history of bilateral relationship.