World Ikat Textiles Symposium (WITS)
3rd - 6th December 2024 | Baguio City, Philippines
WITS held in Baguio City in December 2024 was not only a feast of Ikat, with stalls from all over the region, but also included a fantastic series of discussions and debates. It is clear that while there are expected tensions between traditional and contemporary approaches, there is a lot of goodwill and understanding.
We are grateful to board members and Advisors Mr Edric Ong (Senior VP WCC-APR), Mrs Manjari Nirula, Dr Sitthichai Smanchat and Dr Joseph Lo (Advisors); as well as Ms Elaine Chan (APHADA), Myra Widiono (Rumah Rakuji) and the Baguio City Organising Committee who invested so much time and thought into creating this superb event.
Declaration on Honouring Ikat Traditions, Practices, Expressions and Developments
We affirm our commitment to a harmonious balance between respecting time-honoured ikat traditions and nurturing the spirit of innovation and creativity. Recognising the profound ikat heritage embedded cultural practices, we pledge to act as stewards of knowledge, ensuring its preservation, growth and ethnic sharing.
Honouring Traditions
Encouraging Innovation and Creativity
Building Ethical Community Linkages
Rejecting Appropriation
Shared commitment
To download the full document (pdf), click here.
Image: Baguio - Double ikat on silk by Ms Sasiwan Damrongsir, displayed by Mrs Manjari Nirula, Mr Edric Ong and Dr Sitthichai Smanchat