Jakarta Fair, fun for the whole family
Jakarta Fair, fun for the whole family
Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
He stands out with his prominent nose and bushy black
moustache. His name is Bang Jair, and don't be surprised when he
greets you at the Jakarta Fair 2002 at the Jakarta Fairground in
Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.
This year's Jakarta Fair organizers -- the Jakarta
International Trade Fair (JITF) and the city administration --
have made Bang Jair and his family the official mascots for the
annual revelry.
"We want the Jakarta Fair to be a family affair, we hope the
mascots will reflect that," Jakarta Fair public relations Thoman
Hutasoit said.
Bang Jair is a typical Betawi man, someone you would have met
some 20 years ago roaming around the streets of the capital. His
figure is more or less like the late Benyamin Suaeb, a prominent
Betawi comedian.
The 35 year old's traditional batik trousers and white koko
(Chinese-style shirt) are distinctively Betawi along with his
oversized belt and sarong. Bang Jair's peci (black velvet cap) is
often askew but never leaves his head.
"The name Jair we got from the combination of the words
Jakarta Fair," Thoman said. Bang is Betawi for elder brother.
The Jakarta Fair has long been regarded as a national trade
fair so it is important to introduce it as entertainment venue
for the whole family, he explained.
In line with this family theme, 300 performances will be
staged to suit all tastes and ages, including music shows by
famous artists like Denada, Katon Bagaskara and Ari Lasso, as
well as bands like Jikustik, Netral, Base Jam and The Groove.
Jakarta Fair was first organized in 1968 at the National
Monument (Monas) Park in Central Jakarta, but moved in 1992 to a
more spacious location at the former Kemayoran airport.
Bang Jair is accompanied by his 30-year-old wife, Aminah or
affectionately called Mpok Mine (Mpok is Betawi for elder
sister), and two children Udin and Lela.
The elder child, Udin, is portrayed as a handsome six-year-old
boy and described as "inquisitive, naughty, but also bright and
protective of his younger sister".
Meanwhile, four-year-old Lela is a "spitting image of her
mother", the organizers said. A clairvoyant has even foretold
that Lela will someday become a famous model.
The whole family is attired in traditional Betawi clothing,
with Udin wearing the same sort of costume as his father, and
Mpok Mine and Lela wearing kebaya and scarves of a greenish hue,
and batik sarongs.
The whole family is portrayed on stickers, posters and banners
promoting the month-long event.
The Betawi people, indigenous Jakartans, emerged from a
melting pot of races, ethnic groups and cultures of Indonesia in
the 19th century. Today they constitute the city's main ethnic
groups along with the Javanese and the Sundanese.
More than 1,500 participants, including regional
administration representatives, state-owned and regional-owned
companies, private companies and small and medium enterprises
will be represented at this year's fair. The organizers expect to
see at least Rp 200 billion (about US$23 million) in transactions
during the fair, an increase from last year's Rp 173 billion.