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Jakartans mark Kartini Day with events, discounts
Kartini Day in the capital city was celebrated by kindergarten students taking part in cultural events, office workers wearing traditional outfits and a number of companies giving various discounts, Students at the Alternative School for Street Children (SAAJA), for example, celebrated a festive Kartini Day by holding a parade, a traditional costume catwalk competition and a singing contest in their school near Jl
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artini Day in the capital city was celebrated by kindergarten students taking part in cultural events, office workers wearing traditional outfits and a number of companies giving various discounts,
Students at the Alternative School for Street Children (SAAJA), for example, celebrated a festive Kartini Day by holding a parade, a traditional costume catwalk competition and a singing contest in their school near Jl. Rasuna Said in Kuningan, South Jakarta.
Wearing the traditional costumes of a variety of ethnic groups, around 70 students of the Early Childhood Education (PAUD) and Kindergarten shuffled their little feet along Jl. Haji Achmad Bakrie while singing many popular national and children songs like 'Ibu Kita Kartini' (Our Mother Kartini), 'Naik naik Ke Puncak Gunung' (Climbing Up the Mountain) and 'Naik Kereta Api' (Train Ride).
After the parade, the students sat around the school's shady yard while watching their friends show off their outfits one by one on stage.
Many students seemed stage-struck walking on the catwalk and some cried. Ali, for example, even fell from the stage, eliciting laughter from the audience. Wirda Yanti, 32-year-old mother of twin daughters, said she was glad that the school had held such an event.
'I do not know much about Kartini. I only know that she is a hero for Indonesian women. However, the celebration is fun,' she said.
SAAJA coordinator and teacher Agus Supriyanto said the celebration was aimed at educating the students and parents about Kartini, especially the values that she fought for, while introducing the richness of Indonesian culture to the students at the same time.
Agus said the school, founded in 2002, prioritized character building, especially teaching students to be independent.
'Being aware not to litter and being able to take care of themselves are as important as learning math,' he said.
He said the funds for the celebration came from donors.
'We have dance costumes to be worn by students. The parents need only pay Rp 20,000 [US$1.50] for the rented costumes,' he said, adding that the costume owner gave them discounts.
Separately, a youth organization called the Talang Youth Community in Menteng, Central Jakarta, held an art performance and drawing competition for children along the banks of the Ciliwung River.
Deddy Heryawan, a student of the Jakarta Art Institute (IKJ), said he and his friends initiated the small event to celebrate Kartini Day with local residents as well as to collect funds and donated books for a makeshift library they had made under a bridge on the riverbank.
'We commemorate Kartini Day with this library as a part of our struggle to educate people,' Deddy said.
Meanwhile, PT KAI Commuter Jabodetabek (KCJ) gave a 50 percent discount for female passengers who bought a multi trip card from April 13 to 22.
Some businesses such as Astra Honda Authorized Service Station and Matahari Department store also gave special discounts for female customers.
