Indonesia, an archipelagic country with diverse cultures and traditions, is renowned for its vibrant tourism. One of the cultural gems is the Troso weaving, originating from Troso Village in Jepara, Central Java. Troso has earned a reputation for its high-quality woven fabrics, known for their intricate and unique motifs. The local population primarily engages in weaving, and as a result, the streets of Troso are lined with shops selling these exquisite woven textiles and garments.
Every year, Troso holds a festival celebrating its rich culture and traditional craftsmanship. The 2017 Troso Festival was particularly special, as it coincided with the breaking of the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) record for the longest woven fabric, not just in Indonesia but the world.
Abdul Jamal, Chairman of the Festival Committee and Head of the Weaving Artisan Group, shared that preparations for the event began six months in advance. The date of the MURI record-breaking achievement has now become the official anniversary of Troso Village.
The Troso Festival 2017, held on July 16-17, saw the successful achievement of the MURI record for the longest woven fabric, measuring an impressive 217.4 meters and featuring 20 different Nusantara (Indonesian archipelago) motifs. According to Tri Wijayanti, Manager of MURI, this achievement surpassed the previous record held by Pontianak, which had a woven fabric length of 161 meters.
Perum Jamkrindo's Kudus branch supported this historic event, alongside Universitas Muria Kudus. In May 2017, Perum Jamkrindo and the university signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a partnership focused on the ranking of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (UMKMK). During the festival, Perum Jamkrindo set up a stand to engage with UMKMK actors and promote its services.
In addition to the MURI record-breaking woven fabric, the festival also featured a fashion show competition for all age groups, a children's drawing contest, and a vibrant carnival parade. "We must demonstrate tangible support for the development of UMKMK in Indonesia. Through credit guarantee services, we hope that UMKMK entrepreneurs will be able to 'level up' and compete in the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)," said Andi Ina Aryanti, Head of Perum Jamkrindo's Kudus Branch.