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Hundreds of elderly tie knot in mass wedding in Central Java
Around 200 elderly couples joined a mass wedding event in the regency of Purbalingga, Central Java, on Wednesday.
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A couple participates in a mass wedding event in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, in 2012. (Antara/Irsan Mulyadi)
Around 200 elderly couples joined a mass wedding event in the regency of Purbalingga, Central Java, on Wednesday.
Most of the couples are from villages of the regency and are believed to have been married in traditional fashion but not registered.
They joined the event to get marriage certificates and have their status legally recognized.
"During their era, it was not easy to get a marriage certificate," Purbalingga regent Tasdi explained at the mass wedding.
All the grooms and brides are above 50 years of age, and many of them have grandchildren.
Read also: Unmarried Indonesians happier than those who have tied the knot
“Their marriage status is now legitimate and recognized by the state. As a result, their children and grandchildren will enjoy easier access to social benefits, education, health and other government services,” Tasdi added.
“There are a total of 813 married couples that do not yet hold marriage certificates. We will hold this kind of event every year,” he said.
Syahroni and Watini, who got married in 1968 and now have six grandchildren, said all this time they lacked a marriage certificate, because they did not know the procedure to get one.
“We are very happy that we now have a certificate,” Syahroni said.
“The most important thing is that we are always together and prospering,” said 82-year-old Sunarso, another elder officially tying the knot at the event. (saf/bbs)
