1,000 paintings fly at int'l kite festival<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): One thousand paintings by school children were
\njoined together and launched like a long kite to enliven the
\nopening of the Jakarta International Kite Festival yesterday.<\/p>\n
The flying of the colorful kite, called Seribu Karya di Udara,
\nby Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro, was
\none of the attractions at yesterday's opening of the annual kite
\nfestival.<\/p>\n
Held at the National Monument square, Central Jakarta, the
\nfestival will run till July 2. About 150 local and foreign kite
\nflyers are participating; 20 from Indonesia, 15 from Malaysia and
\nabout 80 from another eight countries.<\/p>\n
Organizing chairwoman Sari Madjid said 10 countries were
\ntaking part in the kite festival, including Indonesia, Australia,
\nAustria, Brunei Darussalam, France, Japan, the Netherlands, the
\nPhilippines and Singapore.<\/p>\n
\"Malaysia came as the largest (foreign) group with 19 kite
\nflyers,\" Sari said.<\/p>\n
She said each country had turned up with an average of 10
\nkites for the fifth festival held in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
For the festival's opening, Sari said a fighting kite
\ncompetition for local kite flyers would also be held.<\/p>\n
There are three categories for the contest: ornamental kites,
\ntraditional kites and fighting kites.<\/p>\n
In his address, Wardiman said he hoped the festival \"could
\nintensify the country's tradition in flying kites\" besides being
\na venue for innovation.
\n Sari said the festival was intended to nurture Indonesia's kite
\ntradition among domestic and foreign kite lovers.<\/p>\n
\"It is also an annual meeting arena for national and
\ninternational kite flyers here,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Roddy Williams from Australia said this year was the fourth
\ntime he had taken part in the festival here.<\/p>\n
\"This time I hope I can win,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Marja van Beek of the Netherlands said she had participated in
\ninternational kite festivals several times in other countries,
\nbut she and members of her team were participating in Indonesia
\nfor the first time.<\/p>\n
\"We have prepared 10 big kites for the festival,\" van Beek
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Besides for playing, kites have long been part of ritual
\nprocessions in Bali, according to a short history of kites
\nprepared by organizers. (03)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/1000-paintings-fly-at-intl-kite-festival-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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