Festival time in the Big Durian

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