Borobudur festival lures foreigners

Borobudur festival lures foreigners

SEMARANG: Despite the Iraq war, six foreign countries have
confirmed that they will take part in the International Borobudur
Festival in June.

Central Java Governor Mardiyanto said over the weekend that
Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and Italy would
send delegates to the festival, which will be held at the
Borobudur Temple between June 11 and June 17.

The festival is aimed at boosting the country's tourist
industry, which has suffered since the Sept. 12, 2002, bombings
in Bali.

Mardiyanto said more delegates were expected to participate in
the festival, with the organizing committee approaching foreign
countries with cultural links to the world's largest Buddhist
temple.

The governor said he had also notified the Czech Republic,
Austria and China of the upcoming event. -- JP