Anniversary joy peaks at Senayan

Anniversary joy peaks at Senayan

By Johannes Simbolon and Yoko N. Sari

JAKARTA (JP): They came from all over town. Most did not know
each other, could even be foes, either in real life, or in their
political convictions. But last night they became one, bound by a
single objective: To participate in the Golden Indonesian
People's Party at the east parking lot of Senayan, South Jakarta.

A crowd of around 200,000 created a breathtaking sight last
night. Everybody was wearing the red and white scarves and ties
distributed by the government. Pride was apparent in their faces.
The pride of wearing the colors that symbolize the country's
flag.

The show, opened by Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, began
with a spectacular display of colorful lasers from Visual Effect
and Monumental Imagery Production ECA2 of France. The company is
well known for the displays it has put on at the Grand Opening of
Euro Disney, the Olympic Games and the Eiffel Tower Centenary.
Besides the spectacular effects, a dancing laser show, impressive
sky beams and top class fireworks were also presented. A special
stage measuring 80 meters long, 40 meters wide and 27 meters high
was built for the laser, sky beams and firework show entitled
Fanfare Rayuan Pulau Kelapa.

The laser and projection displays were followed by a dance
entitled Semarak Merah Putih presented by 50 dancers whose only
accompaniment was the sound of the beating of drums.

An unexpected surprise came after the dance, when the voice of
Indonesia's first president, Soekarno, was heard through giant
loudspeakers, reading the proclamation of independence text.

Everyone fell suddenly silent, paying their utmost attention
to the charismatic voice of the late proclaimer of independence.

Then it was party time again, with a around 100 performers,
singers and musicians and 600 dancers taking turns to delight the
crowd on the 20 meter wide and 40 meter long stage lighted by
lights with the combined power of 160,000 watts. Three giant
balloons and four equally giant cones decorated the back stage,
from where the laser beams and fireworks were shot at intervals
during the whole event. Pictures were projected onto the balloons
and cones to accompany the songs presented by the artists on the
front stage.

All the singers, accompanied by Purwacaraka orchestra,
presented their top hit songs. Rapper Iwa K presented his
Lihatlah Ke Jalan, Topeng and Debat; Ebiet G. Ade sang his Berita
Kepada Kawan; Ita Purnamasari sang her Cintaku Padamu and Yuni
Shara presented Mengapa Tiada Maaf.

King of dangdut Rhoma Irama, created a spectacular sight when
he came onto the stage on a white horse. Clad in white with a
long red shawl, he reminded the audience of his role in the movie
Satria Bergitar. Rhoma sang 185 Juta, the same hit which he used
to open the dangdut show in the former Ancol circuit last week.

Other singers, including rockers Nicky Astria and Achmad
Albar, as well as Gito Rollies, Doel Sumbang and the group Gong
2000, all received warm applause from the audience. Many of the
men in the audience took off their shirts, raised their hands and
sang along with their favorite singers. They also threw empty
plastic bottles into the air, but apart from that, the event was
not marred by any incident.

And, true to its name, last night's Golden Indonesian People's
Party was a party for all. Everybody, including food vendors,
chess game organizers and others with an entrepreneurial spirit.

Around 30 chess game organizers operated around the show
arena, offering their games for use for Rp1,000.

"Playing chess while listening to the music is fun," explained
Sirait, one of the organizers.

He added that there was no lack of buyers last night.

Basuki, a university student from Klender, East Jakarta, had
another idea. He collected the free red and white scarves and
ties distributed by the show organizer at the entrance with the
intention of selling them at Rp 500 each.

"Not a bad idea. At least I can buy some mosquito repellent,"
he explained.

Basuki, a fan of Yuni Shara, said the show was a great idea,
but, "Will the gap between the rich and the poor be settled with
this party?"

Sartono, a contractor who came with his wife and small
children on a motorbike, had no time to ponder such questions. He
simply came to see his favorite singer, Yuni Shara.

The show, which was aired live by the private-sector
television station SCTV, was also covered by Channel (V) of Hong
Kong, which plans to broadcast it to 53 countries on Aug. 17.

The show was closed by Gebyar Gebyar, a song of the popular
composer Gombloh, presented by all the artists and dancers and
Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono.