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