Java, Nusa Tenggara to Pasadena festival

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)