Cultured expats AWOL

Cultured expats AWOL

I regret that the expatriate community missed out on an
excellent performance of Twilite Orchestra III at the Jakarta
Convention Center on May 7, 1994.

The hospitality industry endeavors to bring culture and music
to the fair city of Jakarta for the enjoyment of all people.
However, it saddens me to see only a few dozen expatriates in a
crowd of a few thousand witnessed the superb efforts of some
outstanding local artists.

Having been a great fan of Arthur Fiedler and his Boston Pops
I saw a revival of this famous pop orchestra right here at our
doorstep. Addie MS is the Arthur Fiedler of Indonesia without a
shadow of a doubt and the tremendous efforts by Oddie Agam, the
producer and the sponsorship of Aburizal Bakrie to organize this
series of concerts deserves our admiration and gratitude.

Yes, the cost of tickets may be more expensive than in the
Western countries but we need to realize the tremendous cost that
is involved in organizing these events. Let's not forget that
besides the operational costs, this sort of event is taxed 25
percent of its total revenued for entertainment tax.

Expatriates have a tendency to complain about the lack of
culture and events in our city, yet when events materialize they
do not support them although great expense was channeled into
advertising.

May I encourage the expatriate community to make a maximum
effort to sponsor these events so they may be allowed to survive
for the benefit and the enjoyment of the whole population of
Jakarta.

TONY E. BRUGGEMANS

General Manager

Sahid Jaya Hotel & Tower

Jakarta