Celebrating with discount, paintings, fun walk

Mon, 06/22/2009 11:28 AM  |  City

Held between June 19-21, Pasar Baru Festival brings the historical Pasar Baru or Passer Baroe shopping arcade to life. Since its establishment in 1821, during the Dutch colonial administration under the then Jakarta governor Daendels, the market has become a multicultural center for Chinese and Indonesian ethnic groups.

In celebration of the city's 482nd anniversary, the festival presented a painting exhibition, huge discounts from many shops, and fashion shows as the peak of the celebration.

The exhibition by Passer Baroe's Painters Community presented the visitors with more than 100 paintings categorized into realist, expressionist, abstract, naturalist, and contemporary portraits of Jakarta.

Discounts, in effect from June 19 to July 19, attracted more visitors.

Daniel, a shopkeeper of a textile shop, Dunia Moda, said more buyers came to his shop during the festival.

"Sales increased by 70 percent."

Meanwhile in Depok, thousands of residents took part in "Fun Walk" event Sunday, the last day of the Depok Festival, which was held to celebrate Depok's 10th anniversary of having its own administration.

After completing a 5-kilometer track in the city's main streets Jl. Margonda Raya and Jl. Juanda, all participants, who earlier got a free raffle ticket, gathered in front of Depok City Hall to watch arts performances and listen to the announcement of door prize winners.

Marzuki, 46, an elementary school teacher in Limo district, said he enjoyed participating in the event although he did not win any prizes.

"A big event like this only happens once a year, we have to enjoy it," said Marzuki, who attended along with his wife and four children.

Hari Maulana, a Sukmajaya resident, said he was very happy after bringing home a gas stove.

"I actually was expecting to win the grand prize, a motorcycle, but I am sure my wife will like the stove," Hari, a government employee at the city's information and communication agency, said, laughing.

The 200-square-kilometer city was first built and developed by Cornelis hastelein, an officer from the former Dutch company, VOC. (JP/nia/hwa)
 

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