ASEAN: Bandar Seri Begawan: Royalty attend 6th Asean Traditional Textile Symposium
Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah launching the 6th Asean Traditional Textile Symposium, witnessed by Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports
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HER Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah yesterday graced the opening ceremony of the 6th Asean Traditional Textile Symposium, at the Rizqun International Hotel.
This year, Brunei is the host country for the biannual symposium, which carries the theme of ‘Upholding Traditions for Sustainable Future: Golden Ties that Bind’.
Upon arrival, Her Royal Highness was welcomed by Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports; Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar, the Deputy Minister of Education; Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports; and Datin Dr Hajah Anita Binurul Zahrina binti Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Aziz, the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), in her capacity as the Co-Chairperson of the Steering Committee for the 6th Asean Traditional Textile Symposium.
Also in attendance at the opening ceremony were Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah and Her Majesty Tengku Puan Pahang Tunku Hajjah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah binti Al-Marhum Almutawakkil ‘Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj.
In his welcoming address, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports said that textiles are a cultural heritage with unique features that play a part in defining ethnic identity or traditions.
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“This is not just about production and design, but also about the socio-economic benefits, which brought about the culture of traditional weaving that binds us together in the spirit of unity and diversity,” he said. “Textiles have long been a part of Southeast Asian traditions and culture, and have played a central role in societies for centuries.”
The minister however noted that the growth of modern technology has posed some challenges to the ancient craft of textile weaving.
“These challenges include ensuring a sustainable supply of raw materials; how to make our textiles relevant in a modern world and finding ways to assimilate their use in society; the need to commercialise; and most importantly, how to protect and safeguard traditional designs and their intellectual property rights.
“On the important issue of protecting and preserving traditional textiles, perhaps Brunei Darussalam’s experience can be use as an example, where the custom of traditional hand woven textiles of Bruneian Malays is well-protected and preserved at many levels.”
Later, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah officiated at the launching of the textile symposium and a coffee-table book titled, ‘Golden Woven Fabrics of Brunei Darussalam’.
The symposium, which ends on November 23, serves as a platform for traditional textile experts, researchers, students and retailers to gather and exchange ideas for the preservation and continuity of traditional textile products within the region.
A total of 300 participants have registered for the symposium, with 13 working papers to be delivered by representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, Cambodia, Canada and Vietnam. The five-day event also features 22 textile entrepreneurs, who have been invited to share their views on design and production methods to reach a broader market, in addition to promoting their respective products.
The 6th Asean Traditional Textile Symposium is a joint collaboration between UBD with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism; and the Traditional Textiles Arts Society of Southeast Asia, with the support of the Brunei Arts and Handicraft Training Centre and the Department of Adat Istiadat Negara.
Courtesy: Borneo Bulletin | November 21, 2017 | Rokiah Mahmud |
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