`Jaksa Fair' to be held next week

For three days, from Aug. 5 to 7, Jl. Jaksa, the world-famous tourist center in Central Jakarta, will become the venue of a street festival to further boost the street's fame.

Called "Jaksa Fair", this first-ever festival will be held from 4 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to midnight on Sunday next week.

Traditional indigenous Betawi music and art groups will highlight the festivities on a stage covering the entire street.

The Rebana Biang and Gambang Kromong music groups and the Sembah Nyai and Topeng Tunggal dances are among the attractions. While enjoying the Ondel-ondel, Rebana Ketimpring and Tanjidor parades, visitors will also be able to sample a variety of Betawi food and delicacies.

Visitors are encouraged to put on old Betawi or Dutch colonial costumes and photographers will be around to take their Polaroid pictures.

Those who wish to reminisce may do so by browsing through a selection of photographs of old Betawi.

The festival is organized by the city administration which is hoping to start a tradition to add to the city's attractions for foreign tourists. (lem)