Festival time in the Big Durian

Tuesday, June 22 is an eagerly anticipated day for those Jakartans gearing up to celebrate the capital's 477th anniversary.

As teasers leading up to the anniversary, the city administration has already officiated several events, including the Jakarta Fair opened on June 17 by President Megawati Soekarnoputri, the Festival Passer Baroe (Pasar Baru Festival) in Central Jakarta and the Jakarta International 10K run on Sunday.

On Jakarta's birthday, Ancol Dreamland is offering free entry to visitors from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and two-for-one tickets for visitors to Dunia Fantasi, the Water Park, the Oceanarium and the Gondola amusement ride.

That evening, Jakartans will have their first chance to witness the Rp 15 billion light display at Medan Merdeka Square free of charge.

The peak of the celebration will fall on June 26 with an extravaganza at Karnaval Beach, Ancol, which will be lit up by a fireworks show and an appearance by Governor Sutiyoso.

The next day, people will take to the main thoroughfares for the Jakarta Street Carnival. The event will feature a motorcade, including floats and a Balinese kecak dance performance.

For art lovers, the Jakarta Anniversary Arts Festival has been on since June 15, and various performances and recitals can be enjoyed at the Jakarta Playhouse, or Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, in Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta, until June 26.

Shoppers have already been taking advantage of the month-long Jakarta Great Sale, which began on Saturday at Plaza Semanggi, Central Jakarta, and at all the many malls and shopping centers that populate the city. -- JP