Taman Fatahillah Festival Brings New Life to the Old Town

Jakarta, Indonesia - Old books and rotary telephones. Wristwatches. Door signs. Alarm clocks. Eyeglasses. These were just a few of the hundreds of items laid out on mats and on stall tables at West Jakarta’s ongoing Taman Fatahillah Festival.

The festival seems to have struck a chord with Greater Jakarta residents, as thousands gathered on Sunday to enjoy the festival’s sights, impromptu concerts and games at the capital’s Old Town, or Kota Tua.

The Old Town was abuzz as food vendors competed with arts and crafts vendors to lure customers. From culinary delights to pre-wedding photo sessions to arts and antiques from colonial-era Batavia, there was something for everyone to be found in the sounds, colors and entertainment on offer at the festival, which runs until Dec. 12.

Visitors had their pick of entertainment ­— from stalls offering old-fashioned hats, shoes and sunglasses, to old-style bicycles for rent, tarot card readings, chessboard games and magic tricks.

Everybody from lovers to extended families could be seen indulging in the food, trinkets and oddities on offer. Abang Gepeng, an artist providing temporary tattoos, said his stall had been packed every day since the festival opened on Nov. 20.

He said he opened for business an hour early on the weekend to accommodate the crush of customers.

“This is what I do,” Gepeng said, showing off his designs. “It’s been pretty profitable, particularly during weekends.”

Eni, a mother of two, said she had came all the way from Bogor with her husband and two daughters, Nova and Novi, to visit the festival.

“We came in by train. It’s nice to see this place packed. It’s a great atmosphere and there are so many activities. It’s a cheap way to spend time with your family,” she said.

Adit and Ratu, a young couple from Tangerang, said they often came to Kota Tua on the weekend, even when there was no festival. Living only a 30-minute train ride away, Adit and Ratu normally roam around the square outside the Jakarta History Museum, better known as Fatahillah Museum.

“We like taking pictures and Kota Tua has lots of interesting spots,” Adit said.

His only complaint was the mess usually left behind by visitors to Kota Tua.

“It is like a market here and there is garbage everywhere,” he said. “It should be better managed and the visitors need to be more disciplined as well.”

Fatahillah Museum itself is a good place for more serious meetings, according to a group of students from the Wijaya Kusuma vocational school in Bandengan, West Jakarta.

“We come here with our friends to have meetings about social work at our school,” one of the students said. “We like going to museums; we can sightsee but learn as well.”

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com
Photo: http://www.jakarta-events.com

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