On the afternoon of Aug. 13, something was different at Panembahan kampung in the Yogyakarta Palace complex. Almost 100 pedal car enthusiasts gathered to prepare their vehicles for the pedal car carnival that is part of Festival Alun Alun Selatan [Yogyakarta’s South Square Festival].
The enthusiasts walked around checking out each other’s cars to both compare and draw inspiration from their peers’ creations.
The festival, held by the Yogyakarta Tourism Agency, ran for two days in mid-August. On the first day of the festival on Friday, people participated in a “masangin” race: a tradition in which tourists wear a black blindfold and try to walk between two old, large, banyan trees. Many people inevitably stray far off the correct path.
The “Masangin” race is quite popular among foreign tourists in Yogyakarta.
Two pop bands, Jikustik and Danger Estrella, as well as traditional performances like puppet shows, made the event more festive. [EVI]