Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The 2018 Asian Games torch will be carried by numerous athletes and then be handed over to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Merdeka Palace yard here, August 17, 2018, according to Minister/State Secretary Pratikno.

"Two concurrent activities will be held in August, which are the 73rd anniversary of Independence on Aug 17 and the implementation of Asian Games to start on August 18, 2018," Pratikno remarked here on Tuesday.

He said the commemoration of Indonesian Independence followed by the implementation of the Asian Games on Aug 18 is a special coincidence not witnessed every year.

The special moment is the procession of the Asian Games torch in the yard of the Merdeka Palace in the evening of Aug 17 before the flag-lowering ceremony.

Numerous athletes will carry the Asian Games torch and will then hand it over to President Jokowi, Pratikno reiterated.

The Asian Games Torch Relay procession is part of a series of the 2018 Asian Games event to be officially opened on August 18, 2018.

In addition, a Presidential Palace Art Collection Exhibition will be held at the Indonesian National Gallery on August 3-31, 2018.

A total of 45 artworks of paintings and statues created by 34 Indonesian and overseas art workers will be showcased at the exhibition.

The exhibition aims to invite the community to enjoy the works of artists of the past who have noble values, virtue, and a spirit of struggle.

In addition, the exhibition will showcase the masterpieces of Indonesian artists and the commitment of the Ministry/State Secretariat in caring for and preserving the past artworks as the state`s assets.

To enliven the exhibition, several supporting activities have been readied, such as a collective student painting competition from 34 provinces, and workshop activities to be followed by students of Jakarta.

Reporting by Agus Salim
Editing by Otniel Tamindael, Andi Abdussalam

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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