Jakarta prepares to welcome RI's 50th anniversary

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)