Kotagede festival opens<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA: A two-week festival featuring traditional arts,
\nperformances and cuisine began on Thursday in Kotagede,
\nabout five kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
\"We plan to hold Festival Kotagede every August,\" said the
\nchairman of the festival's organizing committee, M. Natsier.<\/p>\n
The event ends on Sept. 2.<\/p>\n
According to Natsier, one reason people in Kotagede are
\nparticipating in the festival is to change the image of the town
\nas merely a town of silversmiths. The organizers are all Kotagede
\nresidents.<\/p>\n
\"In fact, we have more than just silver. We are rich in
\nvarious kinds of traditional and cultural inheritance. And not
\nall of them are well exposed,\" said Natsier, adding that the town
\nhas great tourism potential.<\/p>\n
Several plays and traditional folk performances will be staged
\nduring the festival. They include the Egrang (stilts) race,
\nBathok (coconut shell) race, palm tree climbing and arm
\nwrestling.<\/p>\n
The folk performances include Jathilan, traditional music
\nkeroncong, traditional drama ketoprak, traditional song mocopatan
\nand shadow puppet shows.<\/p>\n
\"Hopefully, this festival will be more than just fun. Kotagede
\npeople wish to get something good for the city,\" Natsier said.
\n(swa)<\/p>",
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