Highlanders will gather here again after two year absence<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Organizers of this year's Jakarta Highland
\nGathering estimated that some 10,000 people will attend the event
\nat Pelita Harapan School compound Lippo Karawaci, a 30 minute
\ndrive west from Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The famous Scottish summer gathering, to be held on May 28, is
\ncoming back after two years due to the prolonged economic
\nhardships, which also caused security uncertainties.<\/p>\n
\"This year's gathering will hopefully return other countries'
\ntrust in Indonesia. We couldn't organize the feast in 1998 and
\n1999 due to security concerns but it returns this year,\" British
\nAmbassador to Indonesia Robin Christopher told a media conference
\nat his residence on Jl. Teuku Umar.<\/p>\n
\"Jakarta has always seen the gathering as part of its varied
\ncultural life,\" he added.<\/p>\n
The tradition originated in Scotland's Highland eastern region
\nof Braes of Mar in the 11th century. It was a meeting of all
\nScottish clans and evolved into an important function in the 17th
\ncentury.<\/p>\n
Highlights of the gathering include the pipe bands, dancing,
\ntug-of-war and other 'heavy' events, such as caber tossing and
\nhammer hurling.<\/p>\n
Jakarta, home to some 1,000 Scottish families, saw the first
\nHighland Gathering in 1975. The upcoming 2000 Jakarta Highland
\nGathering will be the 24th event.<\/p>\n
Gathering chairman, Gordon G. Benton, dubbed the event as a
\ngathering for the family.<\/p>\n
\"There will be 87 events in the one-day fiesta for all members
\nof the family. It will start at 7:30 a.m. and go until 6:30 p.m.
\nwhen a large fireworks display tops it all off at the end of the
\nday,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Benton, estate manager of Lippo Karawaci, said the gathering
\nwas also important in that it would demonstrate Indonesia was a
\nsafe and stable place.<\/p>\n
\"The event will be a sign to foreigners that the conditions
\nhere aren't that bad. We expect 10,000 people will join the
\ngathering either as participants or spectators,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"There will be some 600 foreigners coming to the gathering.
\nIt's small but it's an important gesture,\" he added.<\/p>\n
He also said the gathering might be the largest social
\nfunction available where locals can mix with expatriates.<\/p>\n
\"There will be, for instance, pipe bands from Singapore,
\nMalaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Australia.<\/p>\n
The entrance ticket for adults is Rp 20,000 (US$2.5) and Rp
\n10,000 for children of 5 to 15 years old. Younger children are
\nfree to enter. Participants wearing costumes who have sponsors
\nare required to pay Rp 50,000 per team. (nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/highlanders-will-gather-here-again-after-two-year-absence-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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