Java, Nusa Tenggara to Pasadena festival

JAKARTA (JP): Java and Nusa Tenggara will represent Indonesia at the next Pasadena Tournament of Roses in California scheduled for early January, the chief organizer says.

Mrs. Bustanil Arifin disclosed yesterday that the Bunga Nusantara Foundation, which has been organizing the Indonesian procession, will send an Indonesian float next January, although the government no longer is financing the venture, the Antara news agency reported.

Indonesia has taken part in the internationally acclaimed event five times, each time returning with an award of some sort, from the Grand Marshall trophy, Isabelle Coleman trophy to the best international participant award.

Despite the huge amount of funds expended to ensure Indonesia's participation, the foundation has insisted that the vast international publicity and media exposure generated from it far outweigh the costs.

It is estimated that the total cost will reach $500,000.

Mrs. Bustanil, who chairs the foundation, said the organizer is now enlisting the financial support of the private business sector. The provincial governments represented in the Indonesian float are also expected to chip in, she said.

The float this year will represent the four provinces in Java (East, West, Central, and Yogyakarta) and the East and West Nusa Tenggara provinces. The theme of the Indonesian float will be "Islands of Eden -- the Quest for Adventure."

Indonesia has hired the services of America's leading float designer Raul R. Rodriguez. The decoration will include the figure of the giant komodo lizard and a traditional Lombok rice barn. A troupe of dancers representing the various provinces will also accompany the float. Central Java and Yogyakarta will be reflected in the huge statues of Rama and Sinta (figures in a Hindu epic) and a design of the Borobudur temple. (emb)