Indonesia  has 44 royal palaces which scattered in many places and islands. The existence of these royal palaces shows the diversity of cultural heritage in Indonesia as reflected in the motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity).

To preserve this valuable heritage, since 1970 every two years a festival has been held in Yogyakarta dubbed as Catur Sagotro. In 1991, the name of this event ws changed into Royal Palace Festival, and in 1995 it was enlarged and became Nusantara (Indonesian) Royal Palace Festival (FKN). The first FKN in Solo was attended by 18 royal palaces.

FKN II will be held in Cirebon from 1-7 July 1997. More than 30 royal palaces are expected to participate in the event, including those of Sumatera, Java, Madura, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, as well as guest participants from Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.

Cirebon is one of preferred tourist destinations in West Java, since it has many cultural inheritance, including three keratons (royal palaces), namely Kasepuhan, Kanoman and kacirebonn. FKN II is expected to promote the existence of royal palaces and preserve their traditions from the erosion of modern life. The event will be enlivened with beautiful Indonesian traditions and cultures as well as royal treasures exhibition. The participants will unveil the cultural treasures of the royal palace and dedicate their performances of arts, dances, music and other highly valued traditions.

The Nusantara Royal Palace Festival II stamp series is issued coinciding with the opening of the festival. The designs depict two royal carriages in Cirebon which were used by the Sultans in the past for royal ceremonies. Singa Barong,  finely-carved wooden carriage and one of the inheritance at Keraton Kasepuhan, was made in 1549 by ki Nataguna. The carving show the head of mythical animal composed of a winged lion, a dragon and an elephant which carries a weapon in its trunk. Paksi Naga Liman Carriage, preserved at Keraton Kanoman, was made by Pangeran Losari. The carriage is compounded of different elements: eagle (Paksi=phoenix-like bird), the symbol of royalty; the dragon (Naga) the giver of life; and elephant (Liman) representing strength and wisdom.   

TECHNICAL DETAIL 

STAMP

Product code        : 971010

Issue Date            : 1 July 1997

Denomination, design and designer  : Rp 300.00 depicting Paksi Naga Liman Carriage of Keraton Kanoman   designed by Rudiyana 

                                           Rp 700.00 depicting Singa Barong Carriage of Keraton Kasepuhan designed by Endro Jatmiko

Size                      : 25.31 mm x 41.06 mm

Perforations          : 13.5 x 12.75

Colors                  : 5 colors + 1 logo

Paper                    : white unwatermarked

Gum                      : PVA

Printing process     : combinations of offset and rotogravure

Printing quantity     : 1,000,000 sets

Sheet composition : 50 pieces (5x10) 

Printer                   : Perum Peruri, Jakarta

FIRST DAY COVER

Product code     : 971020

Price                  : Rp 1,800.00

Printing quantity : 20,000 pieces

Illustrator           : Umbara of Kasepuhan Palace, Cirebon 

Designer           : Sigit S.W.

Printer               : Accent Studio, Bandung

MAXIMUM CARDS

Product code     : 971050

Price                  : Rp 2,000,00 (2 pieces)

Quantity              : 5,000 sets

Printer                 : Accent Studio, Jakarta

Stamp Sales Period : 1 July 1997 - 31 Desember 2000

Period of Validity For Letter Postage : 1 July 1997 - 31 December 2002

Others Related Series:

14/08/2007