A Yearly Agenda Jakarta Fair
This year's recent Jakarta Fair 2008 was the 41st annual, coinciding with the capital city's 481st on July 13, held in the capital's Kemayoran arena. The annual fair has always been held during the national public school holidays, thus attracting millions from all over Indonesia and also abroad.
Various industrial sectors took part in the event, manufacturing companies, trade and exhibitions, infrastructure and development, agricultural, property, and many others. These companies and small-mid level businesses made up the fair's main attractions. The arena was divided into five indoor halls, “Hall A to Hall E”, filled with various exhibits. The outdoor open spaces were filled by automotive accessories and parts as well as various branded products. The five floors of the Indoor Trade Center were filled up by department stores, sponsorship packages, furniture & crafts, computers & accessories, and sports products. The Gambir Expo arena was filled by branded fashion products, automobiles, a food court, and a children's playground.
The main stage, located in the east part of the Jakarta Fair arena, presented 32 days of live performances from Indonesia's foremost bands. The annual festivity is also famous for its onsite snack known as kerak telor. This unique tidbit, made of egg whites, indeed can only be found during this fair alone. One needs a lot of energy to explore the fair's 44-hectare grounds, but for only Rp. 2,000 one can get special transport to get around.
THE FAIR'S HISTORY
The Jakarta International Expo, as it is formally referred to as, started out for the first time in the National Monument (Monas) area from June 5 to July 20 in 1968, and was opened by then President Soeharto. At that time the Jakarta Fair was first known as 'DF', abbreviated from the old Indonesian spelling of 'Djakarta Fair'. Gradually it changed to 'Jakarta Fair' then afterwards became referred to by the more popular Pekan Raya Jakarta (PRJ).
The initiator of the event was the Special Capital District Government, which at that time was led by Governor Ali Sadikin during his time of office in 1967. The government wanted to start a grand expo that was focused and that was to be held over a lengthy period. It was also aimed at uniting various 'night markets' that at that point were spread out in several corners of the city. The Gambir Night Market that takes place each year in the former Ikada Field (currently the Monas area) was also the inspiration for the expo, which was claimed as 'the largest'.
Inspired by the Gambir Night Market that attracted large crowds, the Special Capital District Government attempted a fast breakthrough by forming a temporary committee that at that time was entrusted to the National Chamber Of Commerce and Industry (Kadin). They then issued a regional regulation that in part appointed the PRJ as a fixed annual event held with Jakarta's Anniversary each June 22.
PRJ 1969 or DF '69 'set the record' as the longest running, with over 71 days in its schedule. The PRJ generally takes up only 30-35 days. Moreover, it attracted the likes of then US President Richard Nixon to visit Indonesia and drop by during the DF '69. PRJ's organization has improved from year to year, both in terms of venue space and participants. From only a night market it evolved into a modern exhibition event that presents a variety of products today. From only 7 hectares in the Monas area in 1992, it moved to the Central Jakarta Kemayoran area that occupies an area of around 44 hectares.
FAIR THEMES
The Jakarta Fair has boasted different themes every year, except within the 1968 – 1972 periods. The different highlights presented each year followed a chosen theme. In 2000 the theme was 'Indonesia into the third millennium'. In 2001, 'joyous, unique and enchanting', in 2002, 'Gado-gado Jakarta', in 2003 'from us, by us, for us', in 2004: 'My Jakarta - Go forth', in 2005, 'Indonesia unite', in 2006, 'Indonesia my motherland', and in 2007 the theme was 'Indonesia peace and happiness'. This year's theme was 'in harmony to strengthen national unity'.
BOROBUDUR MINIATURE
One of the many attractions at the Fair this year was the construction of a replica of the Borobudur Temple in the area of the Pelangi Garden at the Gambir Expo arena. The temple was a close-to-original replica made from Styrofoam, built over an area of 40 square meters and to a height of 10 meters. This temple was built with the aim of promoting the Indonesian cultural treasure to the international community, considering that it had not been included in a varying version of the New 7 Wonders Foundation. This year's fair also put forth its cultural educational values. The Borobudur Temple, besides being the highest symbol for the Buddhists in Indonesia, also boasts domes that resemble the cosmology of the universe in accordance with Buddhist philosophies. The structure consisted of 10 significant levels that resemble the 10 levels of the Bodhisattva's spiritual advancements or Dasabhumi, a Mahayana doctrine.
The walls of the temple revealed renderings from the Lalitavistara, Gandavyuha, Catakamala, and Maha-Karmavibhangga Buddhist Holy Scriptures. As a whole, the Borobudur temple was a religious reflection of piety from the contents of the remarkable Holy Scriptures, doctrines, and philosophies as well as Buddhist traditions. Its shrines are an archaic world, of which philosophies continue to live and are believed up until now. And all this greatness was represented through a scaled-down form.
URBAN FEST
Urban culture is an act of art, and others that emerged from the fusion of various cultures and interests that yearned beyond what was available. This subculture grew and adjusted within the public spaces in the urban regions. Some refer to it as 'street culture', but in its development urban culture was no longer identical to the 'street' culture, because whoever lived in the city had the right to embrace it.
For two days in June, the Urban Fest, located on the Ancol Coast, was alive with art-filled activities. Divided into five groups, Street Fest, Main Stage, Art Exhibition, Sports Arena, and Games Arena, the Urban Fest 08 had many activities within each of these.
STREET FEST
All along the roads at the Urban Fest 08, urban arts were enjoyed that all depicted varying current social and cultural themes, from murals, street paintings, and graffiti to recycled art installations. In this Street Fest area were many art highlights such as fashion on the street, break dancing and street dances, low riders, costume play, jugglers, street poets, and others. Music performances were from bands like Young and Dangerous, A Stone A, Holly City Roller, Olive Three, The Experience, Whisper Desire, Vincent Vega, and Polyester Embassy.
MUSIC, SPORTS 'N GAMES
Urbanfest 2008 was colorful with many stage attractions that highlighted two days with top national and independent or 'indie' bands performing. Featured apart from music was 'haraju' or costume play, where clubs that have been famous for their Japanese manga comic-inspired costumes appeared on stage with their favorite outfits. Street dances and a Sports Arena presented further action scenes with two branches of sports gaining exposure, namely mini-soccer or 'Futsal' and 3-on-3 basketball games.
Adrenaline sports like BMX, skateboarding, in-line skating and wall climbing showed off various and rare skills. A coaching clinic was also offered to visitors to meet with their Indonesian legends from each field. The Games Arena at the Urbanfest 08 featured Flying Fox and Euro Bungy activities and games. With safety in mind, the adrenaline pumping activities were fit for all to experience ultimate fun. ■ Text and photos by Alcibbum Photography
www.alcibbumphotography.com |
