Indonesian roses bloom in Pasadena once again<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has done it again in Pasadena. It won
\nthe Grand Marshal's Trophy for best creativity at the Tournament
\nof Roses in this Californian city on Monday.<\/p>\n
Since Indonesia began taking part, in 1990, in the prestigious
\nannual parade of decorated floats, it has returned with an award
\nsix out of six times. And it is the second time it won the award
\nfor best creativity.<\/p>\n
Sadly however, it may also be the last as Indonesia has
\ndecided not to participate in the 1996 tournament, in the absence
\nof any financial sponsorship, reported the Antara news agency.<\/p>\n
This year Indonesia went all out, with two floats, a troupe of
\ndancers and a marching band in the parade, which was witnessed by
\napproximately one million people lining the 5.5 mile route and an
\nestimated 450 million people worldwide watching the tournament
\nthrough life telecast.<\/p>\n
Indonesia was chosen, out of 53 participants, by a three-
\nperson jury for the honor of the Grand Marshal's Trophy, regarded
\nas the second most prestigious award in the tournament after the
\nSweepstakes Trophy, which went to the Countrywide Funding
\nCorporation, an American-based company. The announcement was made
\nshortly before the parade began.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's two floats were decorated to reflect the theme
\n"Islands of Eden -- Quest for Adventure", which tried to project
\nthe panorama of Java and Nusa Tenggara.<\/p>\n
The beat of the Tri Sakti University marching band lead the
\nway for the Indonesian floats.<\/p>\n
The first float carried two giant komodo, the giant lizard
\nfound in Nusa Tenggara. The second float was decorated with an
\neffigy of Rama and Shinta, from the Hindu epic, the Borobudur
\nBuddhist temple and a rice barn. Several dancing girls, in West
\nJava traditional dress, lined the sides of the floats. And the
\nPonorogo Reog dancers march alongside the floats to add spice.<\/p>\n
The Mexican designer of the Indonesian float, Raul R.
\nRodriguez stood proudly with his parrot on one of the floats.<\/p>\n
"All our efforts have paid off," said Mrs. Bustanil Arifin,
\nthe wife of a former cabinet minister, who headed the Bunga
\nNusantara Foundation which organized the Indonesia's
\nparticipation.<\/p>\n
The victory could not have come at a better time given that
\nIndonesia is celebrating its 50th independence anniversary this
\nyear, she told Antara.<\/p>\n
She said that Indonesia's participation in the tournament is
\nchiefly intended to promote the country to the world, given the
\nwide audience the event draws.<\/p>\n
The impact is already being felt, with an ever increasing flow
\nof tourists into Indonesia, including those from the United
\nStates, she added.<\/p>\n
Mrs. Bustanil also regretted that Indonesia will miss out on
\nthe 1996 tournament, adding that if it wants to, it could raise
\nthe necessary funds. "Many people in Indonesia and the United
\nStates have lamented the decision."<\/p>\n
Since 1990, Indonesia's six entries have been able to present
\nall areas of the archipelago, she said. The exceptions are East
\nTimor and Irian Jaya and they too deserved to be presented and
\nshown to the international community.<\/p>\n
In its first entry, Indonesia won the International Trophy for
\nthe best foreign participant and in 1991 it won the Isabella
\nColeman Trophy for the most colorful float. In 1992 it won the
\nGrand Marshal's Trophy and in 1993 and 1994 it won the
\nInternational Trophy. (emb)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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