More visitors for highland gathering's silver jubilee
More visitors for highland gathering's silver jubilee
JAKARTA (JP): The capital will again witness the famous
Scottish summer fiesta that is the Jakarta Highland Gathering,
which is being held this weekend in the grounds of the Pelita
Harapan School in Lippo Karawaci.
For the first time since the event was inaugurated in 1975,
the gathering will be held over two days, on Saturday and Sunday.
"It's the 25th anniversary of the event, so we want to make it
special. It will be bigger and better than ever before," British
Ambassador to Indonesia Richard Gozney told a media conference on
Wednesday at his residence on Jl. Teuku Umar, Central Jakarta.
According to the event's chairman, Gordon Grant Benton, the
gathering is also aimed at showing the country is a safe place to
come to in spite of negative media reports.
"We've been living here for years and this place is not as bad
as the media report it," said Benton, who is also an estate
manager with Lippo Karawaci.
Highland gatherings have long been a tradition in Scotland and
originated in the eastern Highland region of Braes of Mar in the
11th century.
Jakarta is home to some 1,000 Scottish families. Although
similar gatherings are also held in other countries, the Jakarta
gathering is said to be the largest and most popular in the world
as it also attracts hundreds of visitors from around the South
East Asia region.
Last year's event, also held in Karawaci, attracted over
10,000 visitors.
"This year, we're expecting some 15,000 to 20,000 visitors,"
Benton said.
There will be over 100 events staged and dozens of pipers and
drummers are expected from eight countries, including Canada,
Sweden and New Zealand.
Some 100 dancers from five nations, and international
parachutist, equestrian and massed band displays, as well as the
ever-popular woodchoppers from Australia, Canada and New Zealand,
will all be featured over the two days.
"So, it's going to be like a multi-ring circus with various
attractions. There will also be rugby and volleyball
competitions, a variety of food, both Indonesian and European,
and souvenir stalls," Benton promised.
Visitors will also have the chance to see "heavies", or
strongmen, such as Scotland's Bruce Aitken who is the current
World Heavy Hammer (10 kilograms) Throwing Champion.
Saturday's proceedings run from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., while the
fun starts the next day at 7 a.m. with the 10 K running
competition.
Tickets cost Rp 20,000 (US$1.8) for adults and Rp 10,000 for
children of between 5 and 16 years old. Admission is free for
younger children.(hdn)