Jaksa Fair provides kampong atmosphere<\/p>\n
By Yoko N. Sari<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The sound of children playing on Jl. Jaksa in
\nCentral Jakarta combined with the sound of traditional Betawi
\nmusic created a chaotic but cheerful kampong atmosphere along the
\n400-meter street.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of children, teenagers and adults came to the street,
\nfamous for its backpacking tourists, to enjoy Betawi culture and
\ncuisine.<\/p>\n
A pair of ondel-ondel, Betawi's traditional giant puppets,
\ndanced at the end of Jl. Jaksa while children tried to touch
\ntheir scary bodies, which moved quite lightly despite the 20 kg.
\ncostumes.<\/p>\n
\"The puppets used to be called babarongan until noted Betawi
\nsinger Benyamin S. popularized the term ondel-ondel in his song,\"
\nsaid Yasin, head of Beringin Sakti ondel-ondel group.<\/p>\n
Ondel-ondel constitute one of Betawi traditional arts
\npresented at the four-day Jalan Jaksa Fair, which was opened by
\nGovernor Surjadi Soedirdja on Thursday evening.<\/p>\n
The Betawi atmosphere has changed Jl. Jaksa into some kind of
\nparty where people from every walk of life, including,
\nambassadors, actors and curious onlookers, mingled in the street
\nto enjoy the first night of the fiesta.<\/p>\n
The second annual Jaksa Fair, open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on
\nFriday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m on Sunday, is
\norganized by the City Tourism Office, Etnodata and the Betawi
\ncultural council.<\/p>\n
The fiesta puts emphasis on the performance of Betawi arts,
\nincluding keroncong (popular Indonesian music originating from
\nPortuguese songs) and lenong (folk) theater, and Betawi cuisine.<\/p>\n
Besides designing this year's Jaksa Fair to celebrate
\nIndonesia's golden anniversary of independence, the organizer
\nalso hopes to improve the image of the street.<\/p>\n
\"Hopefully this event will change the people's perception that
\nthe street is full negative activities,\" said Evayanthi Rozak,
\nthe fair's chairperson.<\/p>\n
In his opening remarks, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja praised the
\ninitiative to hold the party.<\/p>\n
\"Jl. Jaksa is the most famous street in the city among
\nforeigners and it needs to be enriched with culture and a clean
\nenvironment,\" Surjadi said.<\/p>\n
He also said that the street is one of the city's assets which
\nshould be preserved.<\/p>\n
Head of the City Tourist Agency Fauzi Bowo said that annually
\nabout 45,000 tourists stay at motels and hostels along Jl. Jaksa,
\nwith 30,000 coming from Europe, 10,000 from Australia and 5,000
\nfrom the United States.<\/p>\n
Currently, there are 28 motels and hostels along the street
\nwith room prices ranging from Rp 7,500 (US$3.40) to Rp 20,000 per
\nday as well as 10 restaurants, 21 souvenir shops and nine travel
\nagents.<\/p>\n
Jaksa Fair has also attracted local tourists and expatriates
\nwho work in the city.<\/p>\n
\"We intend to watch the fair because we do not know as much
\nabout Betawi culture as we do of Bali and Java,\" said Sato
\nKenjiro, a 21-year-old Japanese girl.<\/p>\n
\"We just wanted to watch Benyamin S., but unfortunately he did
\nnot sing tonight,\" said Mrs. Onah from Depok, who used to live on
\nJl. Jaksa.<\/p>\n
There are about 90 kiosks erected along the street selling
\naccessories and clothes as well as a wide variety of foods.<\/p>\n
Beside traditional goods, visitors can also see a giant Coca-
\nCola balloon on the sidewalk, people impersonating statues and
\ncan help themselves to some good old American-style pizza.<\/p>",
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