Spectacular Solo Batik Carnival

[caption id="attachment_118984" align="aligncenter" width="298" caption="The 4th Solo Batik Carnival was spectacular. Dozens of thousands of people gather along Slamet Riyadi Road to watch performers with unique batik costumes. Photo credit : Aditya Darmasurya"][/caption] One word to describe this annual event, spectacular! This 4th Solo Batik Carnival (SBC) is spectacular in performance, costumes, design, spectacular in the amount of spectators, and also spectacular in after-show traffic jam! Performed, June 25th at 8 p.m., the carnival was the most crowded show ever hold by Solo City. I predict more than 50 thousand spectators watched the carnival along Slamet Royadi Road. [caption id="attachment_118985" align="aligncenter" width="240" caption="More than 50 thousand people gather along Slamet Riyadi Road, June 25th, night time. Photo credit: Aditya Darmasurya"][/caption] Previous SBCs were a bit boring in my opinion, nothing special but people walking slowly in the afternoon wearing fancy costumes with very least batik on it, questioning where were the batiks if it were to be called a ‘batik carnival’. However, this year's event was dissimilar. First, it was held at night time. Previously, it was held in the afternoon. Second, the theme was appealing, Amazing (Floklore) Legends. This includes the legend of the Queen of the South Sea (Ratu Pantai Selatan), a mystical character famous in Javanese community. Third, the beautiful Puteri Indonesia also took part in the event, making the carnival much more attractable. Forth, I see more uses of batik! The carnival started at 8.30 p.m. and thousands of people were already prepared along Slamet Riyadi Road, the venue was as long as 6 km from Solo Centre Point till Gladag. Many of them had stood by from 6 p.m., such great enthusiasm. It was also noted that not only local citizens came by, local tourists from outer cities and also foreign tourists intermingled in such crowd, aiming to see the carnival. Several hotels even prepared stages and chairs on it, placed beside the road, specially for their guests. [caption id="attachment_118988" align="aligncenter" width="240" caption="The Musical Soldiers of Keraton Surakarta walked by while sounding drums and trumpets. Photo credit: Aditya Darmasurya"][/caption] The Musical Soldiers of Keraton Surakarta walked by while sounding drums and trumpets, marking the initial performance of the carnival. Recently, Keraton Surakarta is trying to be more involved in the city’s event, an effort that needs to be appreciated. Afterwards, there goes performance from dancers grouped into four main ones, each representing one legend. First came the legend of Ratu Kencono Wungu. Second was Ande-ande Lumut. The famous Roro Jonggrang Legend came third, while Ratu Pantai Selatan was the last theme to perform.

There were total 324 unique costume performers in the carnival. They were accompanied by the contagious beat of Temperente Percussion which made ethnical atmosphere more viscous. [caption id="attachment_119025" align="aligncenter" width="331" caption="Dancers in beuatiful costumes. Photo credit: Aditya Darmasurya"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_119015" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Dancers in beuatiful costumes. Photo credit: Aditya Darmasurya"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_119016" align="aligncenter" width="313" caption="Dancers in beuatiful costumes. Photo credit: Aditya Darmasurya"][/caption]

Unfortunately, hoggish spectators ran into the carnival lane, with vulgar manners, being selfish and narcissistic trying to take picture of themselves with the performers. This was very irritating for other spectators and for the performers themselves. Their movements were hindered just because several people with cameras selfishly and ignorantly stood by in the lane. I realize that they want to get the best shots of the show, nevertheless it could be achieved in much more non-ignorant way and appreciating others who also want to watch the carnival without them inside the lane.

[caption id="attachment_119017" align="aligncenter" width="238" caption="These spectators become intruders of the carnival. They break into the lane while selfishly taking pictures of the performers. This hinders the performers"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_119026" align="aligncenter" width="477" caption="Being narcissistic, these two performers break into the lane and take shots with the performers. They neglect the convenience of other spectators"][/caption] After walking while dancing along Slamet Riyadi Road, approximately 6 km, the performers all gathered by in the city hall yard. This ends the carnival but allows people to take pictures with the performers. The performers were all welcomed and really pleasant to people who want to take pictures with them. On the other side, the city streets became so hectic and jammed. The small amount of traffic officer personnel was incomparable to thousands of cars and motorcycles trying to find ways out of the jam. I was also trapped in the jam, but managed to get out of it. [caption id="attachment_119027" align="aligncenter" width="357" caption="After the carnival, the streets were jammed! In this picture, the car is heading north, while the motorcycles are heading south. The left and right side of the streets are already congested. Photo credit : Aditya Darmasurya"][/caption] Well, I didn’t get the best spot to see the carnival and didn’t get the best shot as well due to this. My friend Sonny Hendrawan Saputra stood by at the starting point which was decorated with 200 bamboos forming a tunnel-like stage, I wish I were there as well. As usual, there were no specific borders between the performers and spectators, thus making the spectators crammed into the middle of the lane. They were striving to see the performers as close as possible but neglecting the convenience of others. I hope future events would provide real borders to prevent these to happen again thus unleashing the flow of the event. [caption id="attachment_119028" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Success of the 4th Solo Batik Carnival"] [/caption] Until midnight, the city was still crowded. All felt the joy of success of the 4thSolo Batik Carnival. What’s next for next year’s SBC? Something more spectacular, I hope