Jakarta prepares to welcome RI's 50th anniversary

JAKARTA (JP): The capital city is busier today due to preparations for a series of events to highlight the celebration of the golden anniversary of Indonesia's independence day on Aug. 17.

Colorful five-watt bulbs twinkle outside each house, hut, small warung (street stall) and other buildings, hailing the upcoming fiesta.

Owners of hotels, restaurants and shopping centers offer special discounts, claiming it to be part of their efforts to commemorate Independence Day.

Residents in their respective neighborhoods as well as workers at their offices also hold different activities, ranging from social works to sports competitions, to glorify this year's Aug. 17.

Local television stations have also prepared special celebration packages. AN Teve, for example, has asked its news readers to wear traditional cloth.

Similar to broadcasting companies, several publishers have planned something special to celebrate this special year. Forum weekly magazine, for instance, has issued a special edition to commemorate the 50th anniversary.

Unlike previous years, this year's celebration is handled by a special committee, called the National Committee of the 50th Anniversary of Indonesia's Independence, chaired by Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono.

The committee has already held a number of events throughout the country which have also attracted the attention of tourists.

Among them were the gala Dangdut music fiesta at Ancol, North Jakarta, on Saturday evening, the Fauna & Flora exhibition (Aug. 3 to Aug. 20) at the Lapangan Banteng park in Central Jakarta, the Lintas Nusa '95 (July 1- Aug. 5), a cross country tour sponsored by PT Toyota-Astra Motor using 50 red-and-white Toyota Kijang vehicles covering a distance of 5,500 kilometers from Banda Aceh in Aceh to Larantuka in Flores.

According to a tentative schedule issued by the committee, among events to be held in Jakarta are:

Aug. 8: Pasar Rakyat, a market of a variety of local products sold at attractive discounted rates, at the Monas national monument park. Arena Panggung Pesta Rakyat, a gala fiesta, at the Parkir Timur area of the Senayan stadium.

Aug. 12 - 27: A mega exhibition of Indonesian products called Pameran Produk Indonesia at the Kemayoran Jakarta Fairground.

Aug. 13 - 15: A triathlon consisting of a 17-kilometer cross country, eight-kilometer run and 45-kilometer marathon.

Aug. 17: Gala ceremony led by President Soeharto and attended by representatives of foreign countries at the State Palace. The ceremony is normally followed by a gala dinner in the evening. On the same day, various communities will hold a number of traditional competitions with prizes provided by locals. On the next day, there will be national prayer services to thank God for His blessing.

Aug. 17 - December: A photo exhibition on Indonesia's struggle at the National Archives.

Aug. 19: A parade of dozens of Indonesian and foreign warships along with the arrival of hundreds of yachts and tall ships, participating in the Arung Samudra '95, at the Jakarta Bay. President Soeharto is expected to be there. The participants of the yacht and tall-ship races sailed from Benoa, Bali, yesterday, 7 Aug.

Aug. 19 - 21: Sea Research Exhibition at the Marine Complex in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta.

Aug. 19: Food gathering party called Kenduri Nasional to be continued with a fireworks display at Monas park.

Aug. 23: The closing ceremony of the National Youth March, locally known as Kirab Remaja Indonesia.

Aug. 26: Gala ceremony of Majelis Taklim, a union of Indonesian female Moslems, at the Senayan stadium.

Aug. 27: A parade of floats along Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman from the Monas park.

Aug. 29 - Sept. 4: An exhibition of Indonesia's development at the Monas park.

Sept. 23 - Nov. 23: Festival Istiqlal, an exhibition and contests, at the Istiqlal Mosque, near Monas park. (bsr)