Where Java Rules

By Linda Tancs

Surakarta (also called Solo) in Indonesia is where Java rules.  And no, that doesn’t mean coffee.  This city in Central Java exudes Javanese culture, like the courtly dances evocative of a royal bygone era.  It’s also the heartland for traditional batik and the rich yellow hues characteristic of the area.  Batik is so prized that there’s an annual batik carnival to celebrate this popular form of Javanese art.