REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesia`s pavilion with various cultural exhibits appears at Floriade 2012 in Venlo, the Netherlands. Floriade 2012, or the World Horticultural Expo, has been held in the Netherlands roughly every 10 years since 1960 and this year the event takes place from April to October
"Since 1992, it is developed not only to feature flowers but also cultural exhibits. Likewise, it is used as a means to promote trade and tourism," said Mhd. Redha Maha, Technical Operational Director of PT. Vidya Citrapradhana that organizes the participation of Indonesia at the event.
"That is great as it could attract 5.000 - 7.500 visitors everyday," Maha said, adding that it is the biggest number compared to those of other participating countries.
The most interesting exhibits featured at the event are traditional houses from different provinces in Indonesia including those from East Java, North Sulawesi, Bali, Aceh, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, Papua and West Papua. Indonesian pavilion also presents a miniature of the biggest Buddhist temple in the world, Borobudur, and giant wooden wayangs or traditional Javanese shadow puppets.
A Dutch lady, Brigitte, said she was very interested in the Indonesia pavilion that reminded of her experience living in the archipelagic country several years ago. "I like Indonesia with its culture and hospitable people," Brigitte said.
Brigitte said she liked the Javanese orchestra known as gamelan which is performed involving various instruments including a violin-like `rebab`, a xylophone-like gambang, gongs and drums with special musical notes creating harmonious sounds when they are played together.
Another Dutch visitor Hammy Meering who once lived in Indonesia was also interested in the Indonesian pavilion. Trying to speak the Indonesian language, she said, "Ini bagus, saya akan kembali (This is good, I will return)."
Meanwhile, Libertina, an Indonesian student who was studying at TU Delf in the Netherlands, said the Indonesian pavilion was very fascinating because various attractive shows and cultural performance were displayed there. "Among the cultural exhibits and shows are traditional houses and musical instruments. And I think the most attractive one is a mock up of the Borobudur temple," said Libertina.
Floriade 2012 is being participated in by more than 40 countries featuring their respective traditional houses. They also involve businesspeople who are showcasing prime commodities as well as export products including souvenirs.
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