Jaksa Fair organizer faces fund shortage
JAKARTA (JP): The organizer of the Jaksa Fair, a three-day cultural festival aimed at promoting the culture of indigenous Jakartans, commonly known as Betawi, is facing financial difficulties.
Renaldo Tomasouw, the treasurer of the organizing committee, said that as of yesterday, the committee had only collected Rp 100 million (US$46,150) of the Rp 350 million target. The money has been received from hotels located along Jl. Jaksa, a popular location for budget tourists in Central Jakarta and the other sponsors.
"It is very difficult to find companies who are willing to sponsor this art event. I do not understand why," Renaldo said, adding that the committee had asked big companies located near Jl. Jaksa to participate.
"We have also contacted several travel bureaus and airlines, but so far only one beer producer has shown interest in participating."
The Jaksa Fair, jointly organized by the Association of Jl. Jaksa's Tourism Industry Organizers (IKJS) in cooperation with the Jakarta Tourism Office, will be held from Aug. 5 to 7 on Jl. Jaksa. The fair is scheduled to be opened by Governor Surjadi Soedirdja.
The street festival, the first of its kind, is aimed at boosting the street's fame and reviving the almost forgotten culture of indigenous Jakarta residents.
"From our surveys, the average length of stay of foreign tourists in hotels on Jl. Jaksa is only three days. They use Jakarta only as a transit point before going to Bali and other places," said Ukke Kosasih, the organizing committee's programs coordinator.
The 400-meter Jl. Jaksa, mentioned in almost all of guidebooks for backpackers, has 27 hotels and hostels with a total of 363 rooms as well as hundreds of rooms rented by area residents, six restaurants, four travel agencies, a bookstore, money changers, laundries, pubs, etc.
The history
Jl. Jaksa has been widely known among backpackers since the late 1960s when Nathanael Lawalata established the first hotel, Wisma Delima. Last year 57,201 foreign tourists visited hotels and hostels in the area, including 4,215 Americans, 9,309 Australians, 29,676 Europeans and 649 Africans.
Hotel rates on Jl. Jaksa range from Rp 10,000 to Rp 45,000 per day.
The Jaksa Fair, which will take place from 4 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to midnight on Sunday next week, will feature Betawi music, dances and theater on three stages to be built on the street.
"Visitors can also sample a variety of Betawi food sold by street vendors, and see a photographic exposition of old Jakarta and Jl. Jaksa and the Kebon Sirih area (located in the same neighborhood) as they were in 1939, as well as a demonstration of the making of traditional Betawi Purnam or paper lanterns," Ukke said, adding that around 10,000 people are expected to visit the festival.
The fair will also feature Ondel-ondel and Rebana Ketimpring parades, Sembah Nyai, Lambang Sari, Badah Khatam and Topeng Gong dances, Gambang Kromong and Kroncong Tugu, Lenong Denes and Lenong Rumpi theaters. (als)