Culture to enliven Bengawan Solo Fair

SEMARANG: A Bengawan Solo Fair (BSF) 2005 jam-packed with art and cultural events will be officially opened on Friday, Central Java tourism office head Agus Suryono says.

"If previously art and cultural programs in BSF were just small complementary events, this year they will have a special place," Agus said, adding that art and cultural activities would make up 50 percent of the fair. Previously, the fair was dominated more by business and economic concerns.

"I'm certain that by providing a bigger portion for arts and cultural programs, the community will have greater chance to appreciate their own traditions. And by doing this, the BSF will also become an asset to Central Java tourism," Agus said.

He hoped the fair would attract some 1,000 to 2,000 visitors a day. With entrance tickets costing Rp 1,000 a visitor, the BSF was expected to bring in some Rp 3 billion.

Popular programs were expected to be the Wayang (puppet) Festival, which would be kicked off with a puppet parade -- the Spirit of Creation -- progressing from the Sriwedari Stadium to the Pura Mangkunegaran Palace.

"The parade will be part of the opening ceremony of BSF 2005," Agus said. -- JP