Wayang show for the heroes

JAKARTA (JP): An East Javanese group, called Pawarta Jatim, will stage a wayang kulit (shadow puppet) show in the parking lot of the National Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta on Dec.15.

The nightlong show, which is to start at 8.00 p.m. and finish at dawn, will be performed by three Indonesian puppet masters: Ki Soenarjo, Ki Mantep Sudarsono and Ki Soerono Gondotaruro.

The event -- which is being held to commemorate National Heroes' Day on Nov. 10 -- will feature a food bazaar, firecrackers and a dangdut show prior to the puppet performance.

On Saturday, as part of the commemoration day celebrations, there will be a blood donation service and cleanup campaign around the park and nearby areas, such as Gambir and Senen.

A tribute to national heroes buried at the Kalibata Cemetery, South Jakarta, will be held on the same day as the puppet show.

The celebration's culmination, to be held at the Monas parking lot on Nov. 23, will involve a series of traditional performances by East Javanese and Betawi (native Jakartans).

Deputy Governor for Administrative Affairs, Abdul Kahfi, praised yesterday the efforts of the Pawarta Jatim group in staging an event which enhances friendship and respect among residents living in the capital.

"Jakarta consists of people from different backgrounds living together. It's nice to have such an event to unite them," he said. (07)