In our effort to preserve local ingenuity in batik and ceramics, as well as filling the school holidays with positive activities, Titian’s Community Development (“Comdev”) programme organized a Cultural Art Festival from December 19th to 22nd, 2016, which took place at our Community Learning Centre (“CLC”) in Bayat. The first day of the festival included a batik painting and ceramics contest for children of primary school age. Similar contests for junior and senior high school students were conducted the next day. As for adults, there was a Javanese art of singing and poetry competition – locally known as “macapat” – for teachers from schools around the CLC. In addition, students from the CLC’s other Comdev courses, such as sewing and computer were also given a chance to demonstrate what they have learned.

The highlight of the festival was held on Thursday, December 22nd, 2016. It is the announcement day of the winners of each of the contests. Students from CLC’s dance class performed “Rampak” and Happy dance, adding to the day’s festivity. There was also a performance by CLC’s guitar class teacher, who is also a Titian scholarship beneficiary from Generation 7.

It was a jubilant day with more than 200 visitors, consisting of contestants, accompanying teachers, and the community surrounding Titian CLC. Faces of the contestants and door prize winners were full of excitement. This event closed with a food fair serving favorite village snacks such as mung bean porridge, fish dumpling “siomay” and traditional ice cream “es puter” made by Titian’s Micro Finance members. (FD)