"We facilitate (traditional game activities), so that the traditional game community can hold its events today (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday)," Head of the Kota Tua area management unit Dedy Tarmizi noted here on Saturday.
Several booths are set up at the Fatahillah Park, precisely in the Plaza Lada area, to accommodate visitors to get to know nine traditional games.
Visitors can play games, such as gasing (spinning top), engklek (hopscotch), congkak (mancalas), lompat tali (rope skipping), rangku alu (bamboo jump game), bola bekel (marbles), kapal otok-otok (ship toy), petak umpet (hide and seek), and petak jongkok (catch and squat), for free.
Event coordinator Ahmad Fadli remarked that snacks are offered to attract children to play the games.
Before playing, visitors will be requested to fill in their name, phone number, and email address at the registration booth to get a pass for the games. After playing each game, the officer will give a stamp.
"Every five stamps can be exchanged for a pack of snacks," Fadli said.
According to Fadli, social interaction occurs in every game, such as the petak umpet and petak jongkok, which requires team coordination.
"We start with a minimum of three people," he remarked, adding that the target is children aged five to 10 years, but participants aged 18 years and above can also join, as the goal is to introduce the game to as many people as possible.
In addition to introducing traditional games, Fadli and his team tried to arouse moments of nostalgia in parents, who had not played traditional games for a long time.
The event was held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.
Related news: Jakarta holds Batavia Festival to promote old town
Related news: Jakarta Old Town revitalization 80% complete: official
Translator: Abdu F, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
