One of three stories prepared for the Kutai Page<\/p>\n
checked EJK<\/p>\n
Erau Festival expected to boost tourist industry<\/p>\n
The Regency of Kutai Kartanegara in East Kalimantan is holding
\na grand party. This will be no ordinary affair as the event --
\nthe Erau Festival 2003 -- will involve thousands of artists and
\nperformers, beginning on Saturday and lasting for 10 days.<\/p>\n
The Zapin International Festival will also be held in
\nconjunction with Erau. Zapin or jepen is the traditional Malay
\ndance of the people of Kutai. The festival will involve five
\ncountries, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines
\nand Indonesia. China will hold a lantern festival as part of the
\ncelebrations.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister of Public Welfare Jusuf Kalla is
\nscheduled to launch the Erau festival -- of which the highlight
\nwill be a dance performed by 1,100 dancers -- while 500
\nvolunteers will form a configuration.<\/p>\n
Traditional and modern music will entertain the guests, and
\nfireworks will adorn the night sky on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The festival will incorporate dance performances, traditional
\nand modern theater, concerts, art and handicraft exhibitions,
\ncultural displays, a boat festival and a carnival. The events
\nwill be held at different locations, including the town of
\nTenggarong, the Mahakam River, the Kedaton (or Palace of Kutai
\nKartanegara) and the Kumala resort island.<\/p>\n
Participants are expected to come from all over the country,
\nas well as from Kutai and its surrounding areas, including the
\nDayak.<\/p>\n
\"Erau Festival is not just about entertainment or art and
\ncultural activities. It is about unity and peace,\" the regent of
\nKutai Kartanegara, Syaukani HR, said.<\/p>\n
\"This is an event where people can get to know each other, to
\nrespect each other and to promote friendship and peace,\" he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
Minister of Tourism and Culture I Gde Ardhika enthusiastically
\nsupports the event, hoping that Erau Festival and the Zapin
\nInternational Festival will help promote domestic and
\ninternational tourism.<\/p>\n
Kutai is developing its tourism industry to safeguard itself
\nagainst dwindling natural resources in the regency, such as coal,
\noil and gas.<\/p>\n
\"Sooner or latter, natural resources will no longer be
\nsufficient. Therefore we are now working hard on the development
\nof three sectors: human resources, agriculture and tourism,\"
\nSyaukani said.<\/p>\n
A total of Rp 2 billion was spent on the festival last year
\nand more money is needed this year. The regency administration
\nhas invited private sectors to contribute; so far about Rp 2
\nbillion has been accumulated.<\/p>\n
Erau means revelry and the festival itself is held to
\ncommemorate the 221st anniversary of Tenggarong, the capital of
\nKutai Kartanegara regency, which is located 45 kilometers from
\nSamarinda, the provincial capital.<\/p>\n
According to the legend, it was initially dedicated to Aji
\nBatara Agung Dewa Sakti, a baby boy, sent to the earth by the
\ngods in a golden ball. The gods entrusted the baby to a village
\nhead who had long wished to have a child. Another village head
\nmiraculously attained a baby daughter, when she was found
\nfloating amid the foam of the Mahakam River. She was named Putri
\nKarang Melenu. When Aji Batara was five years old, so the legend
\nsays, the people held a festival lasting 40 days. Aji Batara
\nlater became the first King of the Kutai Kartanegara Kingdom
\n(1300-1325) and married Putri Karang Melenu.<\/p>\n
Even though Erau Festival is rich in cultural activities, the
\norganizing committee always looks for new ways to attract more
\nvisitors. Last year, it also hosted Keraton Festival III, while
\nthis year the committee invites foreign countries to take part in
\nthe Zapin International Festival.<\/p>\n
The Kutai Kartanegara regency has been making great efforts to
\nboost tourism in the area. The Kutai Palace was rebuilt, old
\nroads expanded or repaired, and new buildings constructed. A
\nstar-rated hotel with 60 rooms as well as a bridge -- dubbed the
\nlocal Golden Gate Bridge -- were inaugurated last year.<\/p>\n
Another project is the development of the 76-hectare Kemala
\nIsland resort, located in the middle of the Mahakam River,
\nTenggarong.<\/p>\n
A giant statue Lembusuana -- a mythical creature symbolizing
\nthe regency -- and almost as big as Singapore's Merlion statue,
\nstands on the island overlooking the river.<\/p>\n
Trillions of rupiah were allocated for the resort project,
\nwhich commenced in 2000. The resort's facilities will include a
\nfantasy theme park like the one in Ancol, North Jakarta. Although
\nconstruction is still underway, the resort is already open to the
\npublic. Tourists can spend the night, enjoy the magnificent view
\nfrom a 75-meter high sky tower, ride in a cable car, or ride a
\nwater bike around the island's man-made lake. Those who like
\nadventures should take a trip along the Mahakam River in the
\nDragon Cruiser, which can accommodate 150 passengers.<\/p>\n
There is also an 18.5 hectare conservation area. A walk along
\nthe area's 64-meter canopy bridge -- at 30 meters above the
\nground -- is an exciting experience. Five trees -- over 150 years
\nold and more than 50 meter high with a diameter of more than two
\nmeters -- support the bridge.
\n\"We want to sell Kutai Kartanegara as a tourist destination,\"
\nSyaukani said. \"Indonesia is not only Bali and Java, but also
\nKutai Kartanegara.\"<\/p>",
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