More visitors for highland gathering's silver jubilee<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The capital will again witness the famous
\nScottish summer fiesta that is the Jakarta Highland Gathering,
\nwhich is being held this weekend in the grounds of the Pelita
\nHarapan School in Lippo Karawaci.<\/p>\n
For the first time since the event was inaugurated in 1975,
\nthe gathering will be held over two days, on Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n
\"It's the 25th anniversary of the event, so we want to make it
\nspecial. It will be bigger and better than ever before,\" British
\nAmbassador to Indonesia Richard Gozney told a media conference on
\nWednesday at his residence on Jl. Teuku Umar, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
According to the event's chairman, Gordon Grant Benton, the
\ngathering is also aimed at showing the country is a safe place to
\ncome to in spite of negative media reports.<\/p>\n
\"We've been living here for years and this place is not as bad
\nas the media report it,\" said Benton, who is also an estate
\nmanager with Lippo Karawaci.<\/p>\n
Highland gatherings have long been a tradition in Scotland and
\noriginated in the eastern Highland region of Braes of Mar in the
\n11th century.<\/p>\n
Jakarta is home to some 1,000 Scottish families. Although
\nsimilar gatherings are also held in other countries, the Jakarta
\ngathering is said to be the largest and most popular in the world
\nas it also attracts hundreds of visitors from around the South
\nEast Asia region.<\/p>\n
Last year's event, also held in Karawaci, attracted over
\n10,000 visitors.<\/p>\n
\"This year, we're expecting some 15,000 to 20,000 visitors,\"
\nBenton said.<\/p>\n
There will be over 100 events staged and dozens of pipers and
\ndrummers are expected from eight countries, including Canada,
\nSweden and New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Some 100 dancers from five nations, and international
\nparachutist, equestrian and massed band displays, as well as the
\never-popular woodchoppers from Australia, Canada and New Zealand,
\nwill all be featured over the two days.<\/p>\n
\"So, it's going to be like a multi-ring circus with various
\nattractions. There will also be rugby and volleyball
\ncompetitions, a variety of food, both Indonesian and European,
\nand souvenir stalls,\" Benton promised.<\/p>\n
Visitors will also have the chance to see \"heavies\", or
\nstrongmen, such as Scotland's Bruce Aitken who is the current
\nWorld Heavy Hammer (10 kilograms) Throwing Champion.<\/p>\n
Saturday's proceedings run from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., while the
\nfun starts the next day at 7 a.m. with the 10 K running
\ncompetition.<\/p>\n
Tickets cost Rp 20,000 (US$1.8) for adults and Rp 10,000 for
\nchildren of between 5 and 16 years old. Admission is free for
\nyounger children.(hdn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-visitors-for-highland-gatherings-silver-jubilee-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}