UI to hold culinary seminar

JAKARTA (JP): The University of Indonesia's School of Letters will hold a seminar and exhibition on the archipelago's culinary tradition on Wednesday.

Chairwoman of the organizing committee Dwi Woro Retno Mastuti said Saturday that the seminar was scheduled to be opened by Minister of Food Ibrahim Hasan and the exhibition by Governor Surjadi Soedirdja.

Speakers at the seminar are to include, among others, Director General of Education Edi Sedyawati, historian Ong Hok Ham, Javanese literature and culture expert Astuti Hendrato and Drupadi Dillon of the University of Indonesia.

"The seminar and exhibition are expected to enable the university to help the government in its drive to diversify food staples amid the mushrooming franchise foods in big cities throughout the country," Dwi Woro said.

She said that the seminar and exhibition were also intended to mark the retirement of two School of Letters lecturers, Lukman Ali and Singgih Wibisono.

"They are also being held in conjunction with the commemoration of Jakarta's 470th anniversary," she said. (hhr)