Art gathering to highlight HIV/AIDS

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