SmartCity Magazine
6th Edition / September 2015 (Page 34-35)
Local
Makassar was entertained by an attractive event during 15-16 August 2015 at
Akkarena Beach, Makassar. It is one of
the Makassar Government Office of Tourism and Creative Economy programs called
Kite Competition 2015. The competition
was not only aimed at tourism event, but also at converging kite design
creativity and family recreation.
A Pinisi-design kite, around two times of adult size,
flew over Akkarena Beach. The Pinisi snaked elegant among the swishing
wind and the free swashing tides. The
sky over Akkarena during that Saturday and Sunday was fully covered colorfully decorated
by around 500 different sizes and forms either traditional or modern design
kites. Hundreds of visitors, dominated
mostly by parents accompanying their children, vibrantly greeted this
performance that is part of the annual program from Tourism and Creative
Economy Makassar Office. More
interestingly, visitors got a free kite after completing registration.
Kite enthusiasts from all over the
country, even from abroad, got together for two days. There were around 700 visitors participated
this year. Included to these
participants was Indonesia Kite Museum to show their unique and interesting
collections. Comparing to the previous
events, this year showed the increasing number of participants and attracting
local and international tourists. “In
the future, we hope that this event will be an international event”, explained
Muh. Roem, Head of Marketing and Promotion of Tourism and Creative Economy
Makassar Office.
Kite Competition 2015 is the second event
conducted by this office. This 2015
event, as annual calendar for tourism promotion, has achieved an increasing in
participant numbers as well as in kite collections and models. The visitors enjoyed very much and overflowed. The successful factors are that this
competition also put educational element in addition to entertainment. The committee also invited Rizcky de Keizer,
Adiduri and ANF Band, to entertain the visitors with their nice songs. The competition, which was directly opened by
Head of Makassar Office of Tourism and Creative Economy, Rusmayani Madjid,
offered many different attractions. For
example, there was workshop about kite for children, Candy Drop attraction,
Rokkaku Challenge sport kite, Stunt Kite, Flapjack Kite, and kite painting and
coloring. It is no doubt that the
successful event has attracted many visitors, especially for families in
Makassar, to come to this event.
Other aspect that contributed to the
success of this event is photography activity.
Therefore, among the visitors coming to this event, there were some
known figures who took this photography moment.
For example, Haidar Madjid, member of provincial legislative council,
enjoyed the moment, and took some photos.
Bringing together his family, this friendly politician expressed his
appreciation to this competition as an event to introduce tourism in Makassar
and as sustainable effort to take care of kite tradition in Makassar.
Akkarena Beach is one of the best sites
for kites. Apart from its location that
is sandy and that have suitable wind-blow for kites, this beach is still at the
center area of the city. The locals can
therefore easily access to the site. “We
are appreciating very much the locals enthusiasts and other visitors to bring
this competition into success. In the
future, we will do our best to make this event more attractive and more
festive”, said Muh. Roem.
Iskandar Burhan
