REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YOGYAKARTA -- The Asian Games 2018 is not only a multi-sport event but also offers the momentum to promote Indonesian culture and tourism, Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) Chief Erick Thohir stated. He attended a ceremony to welcome the Asian Games flame at the Adisutjipto Airport, Yogyakarta, on Tuesday morning.

Various cultural attractions were presented by the Yogyakarta Culture Department to welcome the arrival of the Asian Games flame, ranging from "gamelan" to Sekar Pudyastuti dance. The flame was then escorted to the Museum Dirgantara by a parade of the classic drum band of "bregodo," or the Yogyakarta royal infantry troop.

"Our rich culture, as we see today, is in the global spotlight," Thohir emphasized.

Hence, he opined that Yogyakarta being selected as the first stop of the flame is the right decision, considering that it is also a historical city.

"Starting tomorrow, the flame will be united with the eternal flame from Mrapen (Grobogan Regency, Central Java) and will be carried in the rally that passes through 53 cities in Indonesia," he added.

Also read: Jusuf Kalla to fuse Asian Games' torch with Mrapen flame

The Boeing Air Force AU A-7307 aircraft, carrying aboard the Asian Games flame from New Delhi, India, arrived at the Adisutjipto Airport, Yogyakarta, on Tuesday morning. The flame has been installed at Museum Dirgantara.

Torch Organizer Relay Asian Games 2018 Virza Reskyana Indra stated that after being installed at the Aerospace Museum, on Wednesday (July 18), the Asian Games flame will be carried to the Ratu Boko temple. In the evening, the torch will be brought to Prambanan Temple to be united with the eternal fire of Mrapen by Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

On Thursday (July 19), he noted that the Asian Games torch will be brought to the Jogja Monument to be relayed along the 10 kilometers through Jalan Mangkubumi, Malioboro, Zero Kilometer Point, to Yogyakarta Square. After returning to Tugu Yogyakarta, the Asian Games torch will be handed over by Yogyakarta Mayor Haryadi Suyuti to the INASGOC Committee to be taken to Solo, Central Java.

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