Art gathering to highlight HIV/AIDS

JAKARTA: An art gathering entitled Malam Renungan AIDS Nusantara (The Archipelago Contemplation on AIDS) will take place at the National Museum on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, on May 18 starting at 8 p.m. as a part of a HIV/AIDS awareness campaign.

"During the gathering, participants will set off candles to symbolize the light that casts away darkness from the world," said activist Baby Jim Aditya in reference to HIV/AIDS which plagues the country.

The official number of recorded HIV/AIDS cases in Indonesia stands at 1,559. But activists believe the figure has reached between 80,000 and 120,000 cases.

During the gathering, transvestites, who are among the groups of people who may be exposed to the virus, would perform a musical drama. Street vendors from Yogyakarta will also come to enliven the gathering. -- JP