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Sri Baduga Fountain Park promotes 'diversity'
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ri Baduga Fountain Park in Purwakarta officiated the third phase of its development on Feb. 18. The park's eastern parts, located at Jl. KK Singawinata, come equipped with new software that shows off an "Aqua Screen" and a water tunnel at its western gate.
Purwakarta regent Dedi Mulyadi was there on that day at 7:30 p.m. with Tourism Minister Arief Yahya to open the officiation ceremony.
During his opening speech in welcoming the minister and his entourage, Dedi said the different colors of the park symbolized kebhinnekaan (diversity).
According to Dedi, the concept of bhinneka has to be implemented in everyday life to maintain the varieties of cultures and traditions that can be great strengths of tourism.
"The Indonesian people are known for their culture and their diversity, and this can be an attraction for tourism," Dedi said.
The color gradations at the park were based on the diversity of the regency of Purwakarta itself.
"If the garden was just filled with flowers, it would be plain. If it just had water fountains, it would also be plain. But if both of these are combined, then it will give birth to beauty," Dedi said.
Arief added that aside from implementing tradition and culture in daily life, these two things also have commercial value in tourism.
He noted that tradition and culture have to operate side-by-side and help give rise to an economic system that can support its residents.
"Tourism can only survive when it is in a place with traditions and culture that are maintained. That is where the wheels of the economy can turn. Purwakarta has successfully presented a tourism destination that can give birth to welfare for its people," Yahya said.
During the officiation ceremony, some 50,000 people from in and out of Purwakarta were in attendance. At 6 p.m., dense crowds were seen gathering at the eastern gate, where the ceremony was located, and the park's west exit gate.
Crowds were also seen covering a jogging track that spans the entire park. Those who were unable to enter the venue were seen enjoying food in the Tjeplak area on Jl. KK Singawinata Purwakarta.
