Jakarta to host cultural festival

A special cultural festival aimed at enhancing cultural ties among ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries will be held in Jakarta in September.

Sponsored by the ASEAN program consultant and the Grahana Casta, the festival will include cultural performances such as dance and music shows, art exhibitions and tourism promotional activities from the member countries.

ASEAN groups Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

The festival will be held at the Shangri-La Hotel on Sept. 3, Sonni Gondokusumo, the chairman of the organizing committee, said.

Sonni said yesterday that the festival will also be highlighted by a beauty contest called Putri Budaya ASEAN. Each member country is expected to send three contestants aged between 17 and 24.

The contestants will stay in Jakarta for ten days and take part in various cultural and social events.

The proceeds from the festival will be donated to finance social foundations's dealing with narcotic addicts. (raw)