South Sulawesi Province was chosen as the icon of the largest international handicraft trade fair in Southeast Asia Inacraft, held from March 1 to March 5, 2023, at the Jakarta Convention Center. 

The province was chosen based on a beauty contest held by the Association of Indonesian Handicraft Exporters and Producers (Asephi). 

Head of the South Sulawesi Industry Service Ahmadi Akil said that this event is predicted to be attended by more than 1,200 tenant craftsmen from all over Indonesia. This is a great potential for South Sulawesi to show the existence of art, culture, creativity, crafts, locality, and tourism.

 

 

 

 

 

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"In addition to the five superior handicraft products, we hope that in terms of arts and culture and fashion shows, tourism, we hope the districts/cities will contribute," said Ahmadi in a written statement, on Tuesday.

According to him, South Sulawesi was chosen as the icon of the biggest exhibition in Asean because it prioritized collaboration. The province, led by Governor Andi Sudirman Sulaiman, also involves each district and city to showcase the uniqueness and creativity of each region.

Ahmadi said that his party presented Baco Becce, a depiction of a young couple complete with skull caps and typical Bugis-Makassar clothes, to be the mascots at the event. The presence of the mascot is to highlight the elements of locality and the involvement of all parties.

"This shows how both men and women in South Sulawesi will be involved. So far, our readiness is above 90 percent," he said.

His party also displayed the Phinisi Ship at Inacraft. The consideration is that the Phinisi Ship is global and able to increase Inacraft's promotional power not only in Indonesia but throughout the world.

In the exhibition, the Phinisi Ship will be present with 24 anchors as actuators and controllers—evidence of strong collaboration between the provincial government and district/city governments.

And his party will display typical traditional houses from the four ethnicities in South Sulawesi. Where every construction, starting from the gate, main stage, and pavilion, is conceptualized with the nuances of a typical South Sulawesi building.

"The Phinisi ship originating from South Sulawesi is the identity of the Indonesian nation and since December 7 2017 it has been designated as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in the category of Intangible Cultural Heritage," concluded Ahmadi Akil.