Independence festivities offer joy, lots of fun

Independence festivities offer joy, lots of fun

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

This weekend, as Independence Day is celebrated on Saturday,
various events have been organized throughout the city in
celebration of the day with shopping malls, hotels and
entertainment parks offering special programs to entertain the
guests.

Plaza Senayan in South Jakarta is presenting a Palembang woven
art exhibition on Thursday and Friday, which is highlighted by a
demonstration on how to create the handmade cloth from this South
Sumatra province.

On Saturday afternoon, visitors are invited to watch a
procession of the Palembang traditional wedding ceremony where
the couple will perform a series of rituals, including dancing
and an exchange of sonnets.

A fashion show featuring traditional wedding outfits and woven
clothes will be presented on Sunday, starting at 3 p.m.

In Mall Taman Anggrek, West Jakarta, the Metro Department
Store will hoist a giant replica of national flag consisting of
370,000 pieces of Lego blocks on Sunday at 2 p.m.

"There will also be traditional dances and songs," Imelda
Wala, the promotion and public relations manager of Metro, said.

High-ranking city officials and those from the Danish Embassy
are scheduled to witness the event, she said, adding that Lego is
originally from Denmark.

Mal Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta will celebrate the
country's rich cultural and diversity through a program titled
Indonesia Heritage, from Aug. 15 until the end of the month. It
includes arts and crafts demonstrations, ranging from batik
processing to wood carving.

The Independence atmosphere is also prevalent in many hotels
here where indigenous food will be featured throughout the
weekend.

The Grand Hyatt has invited a serabi (traditional pancake)
maker from Surakarta, Central Java, to demonstrate her skill in
making the unique delicacy.

The J W Marriott Hotel, however, is probably the one which has
the most spectacular show with the performance of Konser
Kemerdekaan or Independence Concert on Sunday evening. The
concert is being held in collaboration with noted artists and
groups: Maya Hasan, the A Cappella Choir, Daya Swara & Daya
Bigband, Institute Kesenian Jakarta String Chamber, Thomas Faist,
Peter Tuscher and Karoline Hoefler.

Tjut Nyak Deviana Daudsyah will be the concert conductor and
arranger of the repertoir.

During the three-hour program, the guests will be entertained
with Indonesian songs including Bengawan Solo, Papaya Mangga
Pisang Jambu, Yamko Rambe Yamko, Juwita Malam and Kroncong
Kemayoran arranged in Jazz and Pop styles.

People who prefer to experience a bit of adventure should go
to Sea World or Ancol entertainment park in North Jakarta.

On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sea World is organizing a
game for kids to catch frogs, eels and turtles. While the adults
can join the contest to catch crocodiles.

"We guarantee the safety of the participants as there will be
bodyguards to watch over them," Daynah Sukardi, the public
relations manager, told The Jakarta Post, adding that there will
be five crocodiles at the most, released for the game.

Later in the afternoon, there will be a red-and-white parade,
featuring the hoisting of the national flag by eight Sea World
divers along with master of ceremonies Nico Siahaan and pop
singer Nugie in the main water tank along with thousands of fish
while the national anthem is sung.

Nico and Nugie, and also the Biru band, will later entertain
the audience until 5 p.m.

The Ancol park will host a number of games, including the
traditional greasy areca nut tree climbing (panjat pinang) on
Sunday at noon, followed by a dangdut music show later in the
afternoon, while a jazz concert will held on Friday evening.

Festival Kali Malang will take place along the Kali Malang
river in East Jakarta, where people can enjoy many traditional
games on Saturday morning.

A series of events are also offered at the Taman Mini
Indonesia Indah, where the guests can enjoy cultural performances
and watch a traditional percussion contest on Saturday and
Sunday.

On Sunday morning, there will a decorative vehicle parade
along Jl. MH Thamrin - Sudirman.