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Surakarta to celebrate NYE with traditional arts, gongs
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'Gamelan' musicians perform during the 2015 Gamelan Concert at the Vastenburg Fort area in Surakarta, Central Java. (JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi)
S
urakarta in Central Java is set to usher in the New Year with traditional arts performances instead of fireworks and firecrackers for a “safe and pleasant” celebration, said Surakarta Mayor FX Hadi “Rudy” Rudyatmo.
“This is an appeal to the people,” Rudy told The Jakarta Post on Friday as he urged residents to refrain from setting off fireworks of any kind.
“The Public Order Agency [Satpol PP] will patrol the city.”
The New Year’s Eve celebration is set to coincide with Surakarta Car Free Night on Sunday evening, and will be packed with traditional arts entertainment, including a gamelan (traditional orchestra) performance involving 75 gongs, according to Surakarta Tourism Agency head Anggora Hexa.
Anggora said the city has set up five stages along Jl. Slamet Riyadi, with the main stage located at the Gladak traffic circle in the city center.
"We want Solo [Surakarta] citizens to celebrate New Year in a more down-to-Earth manner. This is also a way to preserve traditional arts and traditions,” Anggora said.
Surakarta Transportation Agency chief Hari Prihatno added that Jl. Slamet Riyadi would be cleared of motored vehicles starting from 8 p.m.
“It will be just like a Car Free Day [held every Sunday morning], but [imposed] at night,” he said. (ami/ipa)
