Sutiyoso opens Kalibesar Fair

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso has launched the Kalibesar Fair in downtown Kota, West Jakarta, marking the beginning of the revitalization of old buildings in an area popularly known as the old city.

The fair, highlighted by sidewalk cafes, is designed to become part of nightlife tourism in the area.

Sutiyoso said that revitalizing the area through the fair activity, which is expected to be held permanently, would be very beneficial, as it would create job opportunities for people who had been hit by the economic crisis.

"The presence of the street cafes and other stalls is expected to help beautify the old city," he said.

Sixty lots had already been prepared for the street cafes, souvenir stalls and other attractions along the 300-meter bank of the Kalibesar river, head of the city's museum and restoration agency Haswidi A. Taufik said.

However, up until Friday, only 26 of the lots were occupied.

Haswidi said that the stall owners would not be subject to any fee collection, but "they should pay for things like electricity, clean water and sanitation.

"The fair will be enlivened by old Jakarta entertainment groups presenting keroncong music performances and gambus music. It will likely be accompanied by Chinese traditional performances, including barongsay dance and potehi puppet shows," he said. (ind)