Indonesian roses bloom in Pasadena once again
Indonesian roses bloom in Pasadena once again
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has done it again in Pasadena. It won the Grand Marshal's Trophy for best creativity at the Tournament of Roses in this Californian city on Monday.
Since Indonesia began taking part, in 1990, in the prestigious annual parade of decorated floats, it has returned with an award six out of six times. And it is the second time it won the award for best creativity.
Sadly however, it may also be the last as Indonesia has decided not to participate in the 1996 tournament, in the absence of any financial sponsorship, reported the Antara news agency.
This year Indonesia went all out, with two floats, a troupe of dancers and a marching band in the parade, which was witnessed by approximately one million people lining the 5.5 mile route and an estimated 450 million people worldwide watching the tournament through life telecast.
Indonesia was chosen, out of 53 participants, by a three- person jury for the honor of the Grand Marshal's Trophy, regarded as the second most prestigious award in the tournament after the Sweepstakes Trophy, which went to the Countrywide Funding Corporation, an American-based company. The announcement was made shortly before the parade began.
Indonesia's two floats were decorated to reflect the theme "Islands of Eden -- Quest for Adventure", which tried to project the panorama of Java and Nusa Tenggara.
The beat of the Tri Sakti University marching band lead the way for the Indonesian floats.
The first float carried two giant komodo, the giant lizard found in Nusa Tenggara. The second float was decorated with an effigy of Rama and Shinta, from the Hindu epic, the Borobudur Buddhist temple and a rice barn. Several dancing girls, in West Java traditional dress, lined the sides of the floats. And the Ponorogo Reog dancers march alongside the floats to add spice.
The Mexican designer of the Indonesian float, Raul R. Rodriguez stood proudly with his parrot on one of the floats.
"All our efforts have paid off," said Mrs. Bustanil Arifin, the wife of a former cabinet minister, who headed the Bunga Nusantara Foundation which organized the Indonesia's participation.
The victory could not have come at a better time given that Indonesia is celebrating its 50th independence anniversary this year, she told Antara.
She said that Indonesia's participation in the tournament is chiefly intended to promote the country to the world, given the wide audience the event draws.
The impact is already being felt, with an ever increasing flow of tourists into Indonesia, including those from the United States, she added.
Mrs. Bustanil also regretted that Indonesia will miss out on the 1996 tournament, adding that if it wants to, it could raise the necessary funds. "Many people in Indonesia and the United States have lamented the decision."
Since 1990, Indonesia's six entries have been able to present all areas of the archipelago, she said. The exceptions are East Timor and Irian Jaya and they too deserved to be presented and shown to the international community.
In its first entry, Indonesia won the International Trophy for the best foreign participant and in 1991 it won the Isabella Coleman Trophy for the most colorful float. In 1992 it won the Grand Marshal's Trophy and in 1993 and 1994 it won the International Trophy. (emb)