Yogyakarta's walls filled with color

Slamet Susanto, Yogyakarta

The city famed for its art and culture is now becoming the city of murals.

As part of a bid to beautify Yogyakarta and celebrate its thriving arts scene, the municipal administration has freed up over 11,000 meters of walls in the city for mural painting.

The first annual Yogyakarta Mural Art year, in cooperation with the local Tourism, Art and Culture office, began with a mural painting festival, where members of the public decorated public spaces in 47 areas across the city. The fiesta began last Tuesday and ended today (Monday).

Art and tourism office head Kaswanto said the public chose the 47 areas for mural painting, which were strategically located and easily accessible.

The aim was to encourage the notion of a civil society and help maintain public spaces, he said.

The program began in 2002 and the current week-long event involved residents from each of the locations.

"The public decide ... the themes they wish to raise in the murals. We believe every location has its own unique character and history," Kaswanto said.

Painters had complete artistic freedom, he said.

City workers helped prepare the walls for painting but the mural artists had to provide their own materials. Many people had registered and participated in the program, he said.

A Bumijo Kidul resident Rismiyati, 45, said the scheme helped add a sense of tranquility to the city.

Before the murals, the walls in front of her house had been covered with graffiti even after they were repainted.

"There has been no more graffiti after the space became a mural. It looks beautiful and I'm sure people will preserve it," said the mother of two.