Yogyakarta has been named as the World Batik City by the World Crafts Council (WCC) at the 50th anniversary of that organization in Dongyang, Zhejiang Province, China, on October 18 to 23, 2014.

The award was presented by WCC President Wang Shan to HRH GKR Pembanyun.

Traditional Indonesian batik as a masterpiece has become an integral part of Yogyakarta. In addition to having a high art and priceless history, batik has been able to provide economic benefits for Yogyakarta people.

“Therefore, it is very important for Indonesia, to attend the 50th anniversary of the WCC,” said Senior Vice President of WCC Asia-Pacific Ghada Hijjawi Qaddumi.

Earlier, the Executive Director of the National Crafts Council of Yogyakarta Roni Guritno said Yogyakarta compete with six cities in six countries in Asia Pacific.

He stated that center of batik in Indonesia is concentrated in Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta is complete, both in terms of history, art, to the batik artisans that have economic value.

With the crowning, the World Crafts Council will publish batik city to various parts of the world, so the world will get to know the people of Yogyakarta and surrounding areas with trademark that is batik.

Prior to the establishment of Yogyakarta as the World Batik city, the assessment team  of World Crafts Council has reviewed the batik centers in that city, so the team directly see the whole process of making batik, as a material assessment.