Silver Festival 2025 Revives Kotagede as a Center for Silversmithing and Metal Crafts

Kotagede, Yogyakarta — Aiming to spotlight the cultural and economic potential of the Kotagede district, the local government organized the 2025 Kotagede Silver Festival on Sunday, May 11, in Kampung Basen. The event, themed “Silver Innovation: Honoring Tradition, Inspiring the Future”, was officially opened by the Mayor of Yogyakarta, Hasto Wardoyo, who expressed his strong support for the initiative.

“With this theme, the Kotagede Silver Festival 2025 is envisioned as a platform that blends the beauty of tradition with modern innovation,” said Mayor Hasto in his opening remarks.

He emphasized that beyond promoting cultural and artistic potential, the festival serves as a venue for local silversmiths, metal artisans, and small-medium enterprises (SMEs) to showcase their work and strengthen their visibility as creative tourism attractions in Yogyakarta.

“For centuries, silver crafting and metalwork have been iconic industries in Kotagede. It’s our responsibility to preserve and promote them so the world can recognize their value,” he added. The mayor expressed optimism that the festival would reignite the spirit of local artisans and culinary entrepreneurs alike. “I believe this event can breathe new life into Kotagede’s artisans. The district is unique—no other area has this legacy as a silver production hub,” he noted.

Komaru Ma’arif, Head of the Kotagede District Administration, explained that the festival is one of Kotagede’s strategic “quick win” programs designed to accelerate local development. This year’s event featured participation from 69 silver and metalcraft artisans.

In collaboration with Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) and Universitas Aisyiyah (UNISA) Yogyakarta, the festival also introduced a web-based application to support local artisans. This platform, developed with assistance from the two universities, includes a database system for artisan profiles and an augmented reality (AR) tool for product curation, which aims to enhance promotional efforts and connect artisans with broader markets. The website will be managed by the Kotagede Artisan Association.

The festival’s diverse activities included silver and craft exhibitions, artisan workshops and demonstrations, a culinary and cultural festival, and a silver-themed fashion show. The fashion show highlighted designs from local SMEs, integrating silver and metal accessories crafted by local designers.

Komaru expressed hope that the festival will elevate Kotagede’s silver industry in the global market, foster innovation and sustainability in silver and metal craft production, and reinforce Yogyakarta’s standing as a leading destination for cultural and creative tourism. “Moreover, we aim to create new employment opportunities and increase the income of local artisans,” he concluded.

Source: Warta Jogja Kota – Festival Perak 2025 Bangkitkan Kotagede sebagai Sentra Perak dan Kriya Logam