Braga festival beats Bandung

BANDUNG: The annual art festival Braga Kaget 2001 will be held here on Sept. 23 along Jl. Braga in commemoration of the city's 191st anniversary on Sept. 21.

"This will be the fourth festival commemorating the anniversary of Bandung," said Erwin Anwar, head of the tourism office here.

As in previous years, art performances will be presented on Jl. Braga for the public. More than 100 stalls will sell food, beverages and handicrafts on the sidewalk.

"When the festival commences, all the shops will remain open for the public," Erwin said.

For the comfort of people attending the festival, the authority is planning to close the road to traffic for about 15 hours, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

"Only pedestrians will be allowed to enter that area," he added.

In addition to being sponsored by 21 hotels, the festival is also supported by Casa Grande, an association of hotel managers in Bandung, and the hotels' public relations association.

Jl. Braga was chosen as the festival site to mark the period when the area was a popular holiday destination during the Dutch colonial period. (25/08)