'Entertainment helps uplift our spirits'<\/p>\n
Leo Wahyudi .S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
To mark the commemoration of Jakarta's 476th anniversary this
\nyear, the city administration in cooperation with many other
\nparties are conducting a series of activities, including the
\nJakart@2003 and other art events. The Jakarta Post asked some
\ncity residents to comment on the commemoration.<\/p>\n
Husin, 60, works as a scavenger collecting soft drink bottle
\ntops in Kota, West Jakarta. He is homeless:<\/p>\n
I like music and I used to work as a street musician. My
\nfavorite instrument is the guitar.<\/p>\n
However, I quit that job soon after my wife and baby passed
\naway several years ago. It depressed me and changed my life.<\/p>\n
What's more, most street musicians now are youngsters who are
\nmore skillful and attractive than an old man like me.<\/p>\n
Since then, I just focus on my day-to-day survival as I face a
\nfar tougher life, now that I have nobody at my side.<\/p>\n
For me life is so hard that I have no time to think of art or
\nentertainment. I'm really fed up with life's hardships.<\/p>\n
I have to earn enough just for a day. The next day is another
\nday of survival. I need to collect one kilogram of bottle tops to
\nget Rp 1,000. So I have to struggle to get around 10 kg a day to
\nsurvive.<\/p>\n
Perhaps it's true that art is important in life. Fortunately
\nthere is dangdut music. I like it.<\/p>\n
I don't know about the art festivities to commemorate the city
\nanniversary. But I welcome the program. At least, I can watch the
\nshow or celebration while I'm collecting the trash. I am sure
\nthere'll be lots of bottle tops.<\/p>\n
Ryan, 27, is a sidewalk vendor who sells pens in Blok M, South
\nJakarta. He lives in Petukangan, West Jakarta, with his wife:<\/p>\n
I like art. It is a very important part of my life. I'm pretty
\nsure that without art, my life would be boring and tedious.<\/p>\n
I am fond of contemporary visual art and therefore sometimes I
\ndraw as a hobby. I like it better than music.<\/p>\n
However, I am skeptical about the arts festival this year. I
\nknow that last year's festival did not leave an impression on the
\nhearts of most Jakartans amid the hustle and bustle of life in
\nthe city.<\/p>\n
Most city residents here are so busy that they lack
\nappreciation of art, what more the low-income earners who
\nstruggle each day to make a living.<\/p>\n
In my opinion, the festivals this year will be just a waste of
\nmoney. Worse still, it might favor the local authorities who
\nreceive kickbacks from the sponsors in conjunction with the city
\nanniversary commemoration.<\/p>\n
Agus, 20, is vendor selling lamb curry in Kemandoran, West
\nJakarta. Agus is unmarried and lives in the area:<\/p>\n
I like listening to music, especially dangdut on television.
\nIt is a great source of entertainment for low-income people like
\nme.<\/p>\n
I deserve to enjoy life after a busy day's work. It's far
\nbetter than doing nothing.<\/p>\n
As a matter of fact, I haven't received any information about
\nthe upcoming art festival in the city, even though I know that
\nthe city will commemorate its anniversary this month.<\/p>\n
But I'm happy to know there will be many festivities. At
\nleast, it will entertain city residents, particularly those in
\nthe low-income bracket.<\/p>\n
I don't think it is a waste of money -- it only happens once a
\nyear. Such entertaining festivities are important for most city
\nresidents who desperately need a bit of fun to ward off the
\nfeeling of hopelessness and uplift their spirits.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/entertainment-helps-uplift-our-spirits-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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