Borobudur tops list of places to spend New Year<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Millennium Night Borobudur 2000 is probably
\nonly one of numerous year-end celebrations offered throughout the
\nworld. Yet it is this event that the future of Yogyakarta's
\ntourism industry could depend on. The event is expected to help
\nlocal tourism industrialists restore the province's image as a
\ncomfortable and safe tourist destination.<\/p>\n
\"We do hope the planned event will improve the country's good
\nimage in the international world, especially after a series of
\ndisadvantageous issues hit the country and directly affected
\ntourism,\" the chairman of the Borobudur 2000 organizing
\ncommittee, Bagus Ardhi Baliantoro, told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Bagus was referring to the ongoing economic crisis, forest
\nfires, social unrest and political uncertainties which hit the
\ncountry and badly affected tourism. Tourism was affected so badly
\nthat certain foreign countries imposed a travel ban on Indonesia
\nor warned their citizens not to travel to the country.<\/p>\n
Last month the city recorded the arrival of 10,000 tourists,
\nor half the number of tourist arrivals in August, the peak season
\nof the year. Before the crisis, the number of tourist arrivals
\nwas between 20,000 and 40,000 a month.<\/p>\n
\"To restore the condition, therefore, we have to be able to
\nmake a really big and historic event. That is why we are making
\nuse of the moment of the millennium change,\" Bagus added.<\/p>\n
Borobudur, the greatest Buddhist monument in the world, and
\nthe great Hindu temple of Prambanan, were then chosen as the
\nmonumental sites for the celebration. The temples' historic and
\nreligious values, along with their amazing charm and commercial
\nworth, are considered best suited for the purpose, especially
\nsince the theme set for the celebration is titled \"A ceremony for
\nworld harmony and peace, self-cleansing in a mystical tradition
\nof Ruwatan (traditional Javanese ceremony)\".<\/p>\n
In Javanese culture, a ruwatan is usually held as a service to
\nprotect someone from bad luck. A shadow puppet show is usually
\nheld during the ceremony.<\/p>\n
\"This theme is quite in line with the global issue of concern
\nfor environmental conservation in the future,\" Bagus said.<\/p>\n
The tour package is offered for four days and three nights,
\nfrom Dec.30, 1999 through Jan. 2, 2000, at US$247 per person.
\nEach package includes transfers to and from the hotel to
\nairport\/railway\/bus station, transportation, a guide, parking,
\nporter, entrance fees, refreshment\/drink, gala diner and all
\nmeals during the Borobudur Millennium Eve, the meals indicated on
\nthe itinerary, champagne, coffee break, all performances and a
\nsouvenir. Airfare, personal expenses and accommodation are all
\nexcluded.<\/p>\n
Nonpackage tickets for millennium eve festivities only are
\nalso available. Each ticket, effective for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1
\ncelebrations, costs $198. The package and nonpackage tickets can
\nbe obtained at any travel agency throughout the country.<\/p>\n
The Dec. 31 celebration will include a torch-lit procession, a
\ngala banquet of Indonesian and international favorites, a chance
\nto participate in traditional and ethnic modern cultural
\nperformances, featuring popular musicians and dancers from
\nYogyakarta, and an all-night shadow puppet performance.<\/p>\n
It is during the gala dinner reception that the 3rd millennium
\neve celebration of Ruwat Bumi (Earth cleansing ceremony) will be
\nheld. Local prominent Javanese cultural observer Fred Wibowo is
\nscheduled to lead the procession. All the guests are given the
\nchance to participate in the procession.<\/p>\n
A set of ruwatan (presents) is prepared for them. It includes
\na batik cloth having the motif of Bangun Tolak (a symbol believed
\nto have the power of protecting whoever wears it from bad luck),
\nand a sitting mat having the same batik motif as the cloth. It is
\nbelieved that people who undergo ruwatan rituals will be
\nprevented from experiencing bad luck in their lives.<\/p>\n
\"The idea is to make all the guests not only enjoy the
\nprocession but participate in it as well. We want to give them
\none particular distinct mystical experience,\" Bagus explained.<\/p>\n
Accordingly, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Javanese
\nspiritual religious services will also be conducted to guide in
\nthe new millennium.<\/p>\n
At midnight, when the procession at Borobudur temple is
\ncompleted, the distinguished guests will be taken to the Hindu
\ntemple of Prambanan, some 50 km southeast of Borobudur temple. A
\nbedug (traditional drum) festival will be performed along the
\ntrip.<\/p>\n
As the celebration is held during the Muslim fasting month of
\nRamadhan, a saur (early breakfast) for those who fast will be
\nserved at Prambanan temple at 3 a.m. A few hours later, the
\nBandung Bondowoso ballet will be performed by a group of students
\nfrom the nearby school of arts, along with kentongan (Javanese
\ntraditional drum) and gejok lesung (traditional music)
\nperformances. The ballet tells the story of how the ancient
\nPrambanan temple was built through a mysticism.<\/p>\n
Supporting events, including an exhibition of prominent
\nIndonesian painters and ethnic furniture, food festivals, andong
\n(horse cart) festival and a traditional lamp festival, will also
\nbe held from Dec. 28, 1999 through Jan. 3, 2000.<\/p>\n
The organizing committee is presently preparing to accommodate
\nbetween 300 and 500 guests for the celebration. Promotion has
\nbeen done throughout the world through leaflets and brochures. A
\nnumber of foreign tourists have made reservations but have not
\nyet made a confirmation. (swa)<\/p>",
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