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Indonesia to hold first Miss Grand Indonesia pageant
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In addition to being a beauty contest, Miss Grand International also focuses on world peace and tourism promotion. (Shutterstock/File)
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ndonesia is set to host its first Miss Grand Indonesia competition, an annual beauty and peace contest that will see its winner compete to be crowned Miss Grand International.
Previously, participants from Putri Indonesia, a separate beauty contest, had represented the country at the international event.
"Previous representatives from Indonesia at Miss Grand International have been good. I have great appreciation," Miss Grand International Organization president Nawat Itsaragrisil said on Monday as quoted by kompas.com.
Itsaragrisil was speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Miss Grand International Organization and the Dharma Gantari Foundation at the Tourism Ministry building in Jakarta, which was also attended by Miss Grand International 2017, Maria Jose Lora.
With the agreement, the Dharma Gentari Foundation became one of the 100 countries that hold an official licence for the global event.
"By hosting Miss Grand Indonesia, we hope to unearth more young talent in Indonesia," Itsaragrisil added.
Read also: Indonesia wins Best National Costume at Miss Grand International 2017
In addition to being a beauty contest, Miss Grand International also focuses on world peace and tourism promotion. Its Indonesian auditions this year will be held in 18 cities from February to April, beginning in Palembang, South Sumatra on Feb. 28-29.
Dikna Faradiba, the national director of Miss Grand Indonesia 2018, expressed hope that many young women would participate in the upcoming event.
"When I first held the license I could not believe it. From here I can show that the younger generation can bring many good things for the country. Youth is no obstacle," said Dikna, who was crowned Miss Tourism Indonesia 2015.
Esthy Reko Astuti, the ministry's archipelago tourism marketing development deputy head, added that participation at Miss Grand International would create a positive image of Indonesian culture, especially regarding tourism. (liz/kes)
