Jakarta Fair offers Inul, other `delights'
Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A grandiose ceremony marked the opening of the annual Jakarta Fair on Thursday as the event is hoped to provide Jakartans with many forms of entertainment to mark the city's 476th anniversary.
President Megawati Soekarnoputri, accompanied by husband Taufik Kiemas, was welcomed by a mix of traditional and modern songs and dances before officially opening the Jakarta Fair 2003 along with Governor Sutiyoso.
"The Jakarta Fair should be able to raise awareness on the importance of loving local products, among the public," she said.
The Jakarta Fair 2003 runs from June 12 to July 13 at the Jakarta Fairground in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.
The event is projected to generate some Rp 200 billion in business revenues from as many as 950 participants including seven from foreign countries, with some two million visitors expected.
Visitors will be charged an entrance fee of Rp 6,000 per person (67 U.S. cents) on weekdays and Rp 8,000 per person on the weekends.
Meanwhile, the 44-square hectare area in Kemayoran glittered on Thursday with festive promotional stands decorated lavishly with various architectural themes.
For example, a scooter company from India decorated its promotional stand with an Indian architectural style, while it was a similar story for a stand that would be selling Chinese herbal tea.
"The area looks more lively as it seems that the fair committee put more time on emphasizing artistic beauty in the whole area. It is more fun than last year," said Sheny, a promotional stand attendant.
This year's event will also feature the newly introduced Lantern Festival, located in the northern part of the fair's ground. The festival is supported by China's Suzhou Gu Sung Lanterns.
"We plan to offer a new dimension for the Jakarta Fair by introducing the Lantern Festival as part of our aim to broaden people's horizons about other cultures," said Edward Soeryadjaya, director of the Jakarta International Trade Festival.
The Lantern Festival will be highlighted by a replica of the lantern from admiral Cheng Ho's ship. Adm. Cheng Ho had played a significant role in the development of Islam in Indonesia.
Throughout the month-long fair, local musicians are scheduled to entertain visitors at the event's main stage. Some of the big names to play include Dewa, Slank, Sheila on 7, Jamrud as well as popular singer, "driller" Inul Daratista.
Inul, who in recent months received a lot of publicity after her dance style was criticized by conservative religious zealots, for leading other to "temptation", is scheduled to perform with other dangdut singers, Anisa Bahar, Minel and Neneng Anjarwati -- who have faced similar scrutiny for what some consider sexually suggestive performances.