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.