Major art gala in November

A major art gala is planned for this November as part of the commemoration for the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence in 1995.

Called the "Senimania Republika '94", the event is jointly organized by the Republika daily newspaper and the Jakarta Art Council (DKJ). The organizers said they intend to make this an annual event to contribute to Indonesia's calendar of arts.

This year's theme of the art gala, to be held from Nov. 4 to 13, is Towards the Arts of New Society. It will feature art shows ranging from dance, poem reading, music, drama performance, comedy, pantomime, magic shows to painting exhibitions.

There will also be a musical contest, called `music starsearch,' to look for potential talents.

The organizers also plan to hold a series of meetings to discuss the state of the Indonesian film industry at five universities in Jakarta as a prologue to the art gala. (emb)