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Annual night carnival lures residents, tourists alike
Colorful night: Participants in the Semarang Night Carnival on Friday evening
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span class="caption">Colorful night: Participants in the Semarang Night Carnival on Friday evening. The event was held to commemorate the city's 466th anniversary. JP/Suherdjoko
This year's Semarang Night Carnival hosted by Semarang City Hall attracted large crowds of foreign tourists and locals for its diverse cultural representation.
The carnival, which was held to commemorate Semarang's 466th anniversary on Friday evening, took place along Jl. Pemuda and Jl. Pandanaran before ending at the iconic Simpang Lima five-way intersection.
Some 500 participants ' comprising senior and junior high school students, university students, models and members of various cultural groups ' showed off their various costumes.
Dancers walked to the beat of blaring music as carnival attendees watched on the sidelines.
'I wanted to experience what a carnival was like in Semarang. I've been waiting a long time though for it to start though,' a tourist, James, told The Jakarta Post in the Tugu Muda area in front of the historic Lawang Sewu building.
Even though this was his first time Indonesia, he was accompanied by his friend Sharon who had previously visited Indonesia five times.
'I like Indonesia, the cities are bustling with lots of buildings and people,' Sharon said. 'Indonesian food is also delicious, especially rendang.'
As the carnival passed through the area, she filmed the dancers and National Police Academy cadets who were performing in a drum band, which was the opening act of the carnival.
Semarang acting mayor Hendrar Prihardi commenced the third iteration of the Semarang Night Carnival by pushing a button that activated a siren.
Roaring engines from some 30 Harley Davidson motorcycles answered the siren to start the carnival.
Dancers wore various costumes representing Chinese, Dutch, Indian and Javanese cultures.
'There are four female students from State junior high school [SMP] 12 participating today,' said teacher Ani.
'Both teachers and students are glad to be at the carnival.'
Meanwhile, Rania from SMP 7 tried donned a flowery costume.
'The costume weighs about three kilograms. It is not that heavy but it is difficult to wear,' she said.
Semarang Night Carnival coordinator Ikade Winaya said this year's event was more colorful than ever.
Wearing a variety of beautiful costumes, participants marched slowly drenched in sweat. But everything was worth it for a nice Semarang Night Festival.
