Culture team to go to New York

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will send a cultural team of traditional dancers and singers to New York in an attempt to help restore the country's falling image, an official said on Thursday.

"There are 23 members in the team of dancers and singers promoting Indonesia's rich cultures and traditions," coordinator of the team Dian Wildiana told The Jakarta Post.

"The team will be there for about a month to present the dances and songs," she added.

Dian was speaking at the cultural trip's final preparations at the Gondola restaurant on Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta.

Another official said the team would also exhibit some of the country's popular handicrafts.

"The exhibition includes Asmat carvings from Irian Jaya, angklung, bamboo musical instruments, from West Java and songket, traditional woven textiles, from Sumatra," a member of staff at the city administration's information department, Habson, said.

"We'll show the guests the process of making the handicrafts and we'll also give out souvenirs to visitors," he added.

The team is scheduled to leave in July. (nvn)