Jakarta Fair, fun for the whole family<\/p>\n
Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
He stands out with his prominent nose and bushy black
\nmoustache. His name is Bang Jair, and don't be surprised when he
\ngreets you at the Jakarta Fair 2002 at the Jakarta Fairground in
\nKemayoran, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
This year's Jakarta Fair organizers -- the Jakarta
\nInternational Trade Fair (JITF) and the city administration --
\nhave made Bang Jair and his family the official mascots for the
\nannual revelry.<\/p>\n
\"We want the Jakarta Fair to be a family affair, we hope the
\nmascots will reflect that,\" Jakarta Fair public relations Thoman
\nHutasoit said.<\/p>\n
Bang Jair is a typical Betawi man, someone you would have met
\nsome 20 years ago roaming around the streets of the capital. His
\nfigure is more or less like the late Benyamin Suaeb, a prominent
\nBetawi comedian.<\/p>\n
The 35 year old's traditional batik trousers and white koko
\n(Chinese-style shirt) are distinctively Betawi along with his
\noversized belt and sarong. Bang Jair's peci (black velvet cap) is
\noften askew but never leaves his head.<\/p>\n
\"The name Jair we got from the combination of the words
\nJakarta Fair,\" Thoman said. Bang is Betawi for elder brother.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Fair has long been regarded as a national trade
\nfair so it is important to introduce it as entertainment venue
\nfor the whole family, he explained.<\/p>\n
In line with this family theme, 300 performances will be
\nstaged to suit all tastes and ages, including music shows by
\nfamous artists like Denada, Katon Bagaskara and Ari Lasso, as
\nwell as bands like Jikustik, Netral, Base Jam and The Groove.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Fair was first organized in 1968 at the National
\nMonument (Monas) Park in Central Jakarta, but moved in 1992 to a
\nmore spacious location at the former Kemayoran airport.<\/p>\n
Bang Jair is accompanied by his 30-year-old wife, Aminah or
\naffectionately called Mpok Mine (Mpok is Betawi for elder
\nsister), and two children Udin and Lela.<\/p>\n
The elder child, Udin, is portrayed as a handsome six-year-old
\nboy and described as \"inquisitive, naughty, but also bright and
\nprotective of his younger sister\".<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, four-year-old Lela is a \"spitting image of her
\nmother\", the organizers said. A clairvoyant has even foretold
\nthat Lela will someday become a famous model.<\/p>\n
The whole family is attired in traditional Betawi clothing,
\nwith Udin wearing the same sort of costume as his father, and
\nMpok Mine and Lela wearing kebaya and scarves of a greenish hue,
\nand batik sarongs.<\/p>\n
The whole family is portrayed on stickers, posters and banners
\npromoting the month-long event.<\/p>\n
The Betawi people, indigenous Jakartans, emerged from a
\nmelting pot of races, ethnic groups and cultures of Indonesia in
\nthe 19th century. Today they constitute the city's main ethnic
\ngroups along with the Javanese and the Sundanese.<\/p>\n
More than 1,500 participants, including regional
\nadministration representatives, state-owned and regional-owned
\ncompanies, private companies and small and medium enterprises
\nwill be represented at this year's fair. The organizers expect to
\nsee at least Rp 200 billion (about US$23 million) in transactions
\nduring the fair, an increase from last year's Rp 173 billion.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jakarta-fair-fun-for-the-whole-family-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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