Enliven the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia

Thu, July 26, 2018 / 12:10 pm

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Two boys admire the mural in the Asian Games kampong in Surakarta, Central Java. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Citizens look at the Bhin-Bhin mascot at Pucang Sawit neighborhood, Surakarta. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Tennis player Yayuk Basuki is one of the athletes pictured on the wall. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Artists pull a cart loaded with paint to continue working on their murals. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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One of the artists shows a picture of his work on his phone. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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An artist paints Atung next to a picture of 1992 Olympic gold medalist Susy Susanti. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Paints and other tools to create murals. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan

Maksum Nur Fauzan

The Asian Games officially kick off on Aug. 18, 2018 in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra. The government and the general public have been getting involved in helping to make the quadrennial multi-sporting event a big success.

A group of artists in Surakarta, Central Java, have been painting murals of the Asian Games mascots, namely Atung, Bhin-bhin and Kaka, as well as famous Indonesian Olympians including shuttler Susy Susanti, swimmer Richard Sam Bera and tennis player Yayuk Basuki in Pucang Sawit neighborhood.

Produced on a 300-meter long wall, the mural was worked on by 11 people and is targeted to finish within a month.

This is an example of Indonesian citizens supporting and promoting the 2018 Asian Games, as the event was overshadowed by the just concluded soccer World Cup in Russia.

One of the artists, Rahmat Yulian Nugroho, said the mural was expected to promote the event to children and encourage them to love national sporting legends.

The so-called Asian Games kampong has become an attraction for people to enjoy the murals.

Another artist, Nico, said the Asian Games-themed mural had become a new spot for taking pictures. [yan]