Artists highlight Bogor's birthday

BOGOR: At least 300 artists from Bogor, Bandung and Jakarta took part in Sawengi di Dayeuh Bogor (One night in Bogor) arts festival on Saturday.

The arts performance is part of a series of events to celebrate the 523rd anniversary of Bogor.

Traditional Sundanese dances, a play about the life of Sundanese children in the past -- played by elementary school students -- and Aweuhan Bihari music that tells the history of Bogor, highlighted the event.

Mayor Diani Budiarto allowed the artists to use the Kemuning Gading Hall for the shows.

"We have renovated this hall for you to use as we cannot afford to build an art center as requested," he said.

"We also hope to have this kind of event annually to keep our traditional culture alive," Diani added. -- JP