Quilt contest to mark AIDS Day

JAKARTA (JP): A parade, a quilt contest, and a party are among the events which will mark International AIDS Day which is Dec. 1.

The quilt contest will be held tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ancol Dreamland's Art Market, North Jakarta. Those wanting to participate must enter their designs first. Designs will be accepted until this afternoon, one of the organizers, the Pelita Ilmu Foundation, said.

The winning entries will be displayed on Sunday with an exhibition of T-shirts, hats and other items from several non- governmental organizations working on HIV/AIDS issues.

On Saturday night, the Cafe Batavia will hold a fund raising party called STAND!, organized the AIDS Indonesia Foundation.

A parade, which will feature a mini-train, will start Sunday morning at Pondok Indah, South Jakarta and end and the Ancol Dreamland.

The parade is part of an event, called "Arak-arakan AIDS '96", which Governor Surjadi Soedirdja will open. It is organized by Yayasan AIDS Indonesia and the city municipality.

A Betawi folk theater performance called "One World One Hope" will be held after the parade's arrival in Ancol. An AIDS discussion is will be held after the performance. Speakers include model Paquita Widjaja.

At noon Sunday people can enter a slogan contest for AIDS/HIV awareness campaign. Winners will be announced late afternoon.

In the evening a candlelight gathering will honor those who have died of the HIV/AIDS.

The events will end with an award presentation for people dedicated to HIV/AIDS problems, and a concert. (anr)