City celebrates anniversary in style<\/p>\n
Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Thousands of Jakartans celebrated their city's 475th anniversary
\ncheerfully over the weekend, forgetting, just for a day, the many
\nserious problems facing the city.<\/p>\n
Crowds of people began entering Ancol Dreamland Park in North
\nJakarta in the early morning as it was declared free entry to
\nall.<\/p>\n
The park management provided a stage on the eastern beach and
\nseveral local singers entertained visitors with popular and
\ntraditional dangdut music.<\/p>\n
Traditional music, such as Betawi (native Jakartan) Gambang
\nKromong and Javanese Campursari, were also performed on the
\nstage.<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso joined the party by lighting fireworks near
\nthe stage at midnight to mark the city's anniversary celebrations
\nin the park.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, the governor also delivered a speech at
\nthe plenary session of the City Council on Jl. Kebon Sirih,
\nCentral Jakarta.<\/p>\n
He called on Jakartans to live modestly and avoid consumerism
\nbecause it would create social jealousy during the continuing
\neconomic crisis.<\/p>\n
"We should also cooperate in preserving our environment. The
\nrecent floods should remind us of its importance," said Sutiyoso,
\nwho together with city councillors and other city officials wore
\ntraditional Betawi black clothes and pici (rimless caps) during
\nthe ceremony.<\/p>\n
He promised he would pursue efforts to eliminate corruption
\nand collusion in the city.<\/p>\n
In the evening a reception party was held at the City Hall
\nwhere Sutiyoso received anniversary greetings from various
\nguests, including local leaders and foreign diplomats.<\/p>\n
The reception, which was aired live by state television
\nstation TVRI, featured modern and traditional music and songs,
\nsuch as Gambang Kromong Betawi music.<\/p>\n
The anniversary celebrations were also held at Taman Mini
\nIndonesia Indah, where Betawi traditional music and dance were
\nperformed.<\/p>\n
Another big stage was set up at the Jakarta Fairground in
\nKemayoran, Central Jakarta to be used by local artists to
\nentertain visitors at the annual exhibition.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, the anniversary celebrations will begin with the
\nannual carnival along the city's main thoroughfares of Jl. Jend.
\nSudirman and Jl. M.H. Thamrin in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
At least 3,000 participants and 750 floats and vehicles,
\nincluding sedans belonging to the country's first president and
\nvice president, Soekarno and Mohamad Hatta, will parade in the
\ncarnival.<\/p>\n
Traditional Betawi, Liong Chinese and dances from Brazil,
\nMexico and South Africa will be performed at the parade.<\/p>\n
On Sunday afternoon, Sutiyoso will attend a street party near
\nthe Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, Central Jakarta, where he
\nwill also inaugurate the reopening of the traffic circle's water
\nfountain.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/city-celebrates-anniversary-in-style-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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