Jakarta Fair offers Inul, other `delights'<\/p>\n
Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A grandiose ceremony marked the opening of the annual Jakarta
\nFair on Thursday as the event is hoped to provide Jakartans with
\nmany forms of entertainment to mark the city's 476th anniversary.<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri, accompanied by husband
\nTaufik Kiemas, was welcomed by a mix of traditional and modern
\nsongs and dances before officially opening the Jakarta Fair 2003
\nalong with Governor Sutiyoso.<\/p>\n
\"The Jakarta Fair should be able to raise awareness on the
\nimportance of loving local products, among the public,\" she said.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Fair 2003 runs from June 12 to July 13 at the
\nJakarta Fairground in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The event is projected to generate some Rp 200 billion in
\nbusiness revenues from as many as 950 participants including
\nseven from foreign countries, with some two million visitors
\nexpected.<\/p>\n
Visitors will be charged an entrance fee of Rp 6,000 per
\nperson (67 U.S. cents) on weekdays and Rp 8,000 per person on the
\nweekends.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the 44-square hectare area in Kemayoran glittered
\non Thursday with festive promotional stands decorated lavishly
\nwith various architectural themes.<\/p>\n
For example, a scooter company from India decorated its
\npromotional stand with an Indian architectural style, while it
\nwas a similar story for a stand that would be selling Chinese
\nherbal tea.<\/p>\n
\"The area looks more lively as it seems that the fair
\ncommittee put more time on emphasizing artistic beauty in the
\nwhole area. It is more fun than last year,\" said Sheny, a
\npromotional stand attendant.<\/p>\n
This year's event will also feature the newly introduced
\nLantern Festival, located in the northern part of the fair's
\nground. The festival is supported by China's Suzhou Gu Sung
\nLanterns.<\/p>\n
\"We plan to offer a new dimension for the Jakarta Fair by
\nintroducing the Lantern Festival as part of our aim to broaden
\npeople's horizons about other cultures,\" said Edward Soeryadjaya,
\ndirector of the Jakarta International Trade Festival.<\/p>\n
The Lantern Festival will be highlighted by a replica of the
\nlantern from admiral Cheng Ho's ship. Adm. Cheng Ho had played a
\nsignificant role in the development of Islam in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Throughout the month-long fair, local musicians are scheduled
\nto entertain visitors at the event's main stage. Some of the big
\nnames to play include Dewa, Slank, Sheila on 7, Jamrud
\nas well as popular singer, \"driller\" Inul Daratista.<\/p>\n
Inul, who in recent months received a lot of publicity after
\nher dance style was criticized by conservative religious zealots,
\nfor leading other to \"temptation\", is scheduled to perform with
\nother dangdut singers, Anisa Bahar, Minel and Neneng Anjarwati --
\nwho have faced similar scrutiny for what some consider sexually
\nsuggestive performances.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jakarta-fair-offers-inul-other-delights-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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