"The 2022 Chinese New Year celebration was conducted simply with one thousand lanterns because it was still the pandemic; this year, there are five thousand lanterns that decorate the heart of Surakarta city,” the head of Solo city’s CNY committee, Sumartono Hadinoto, informed here on Tuesday.
According to him, the lanterns will adorn the streets of Solo city from January 10 to February 5, 2023.
In addition to thousands of red and yellow lanterns, there are also lanterns representing the 12 Chinese zodiacs with the rabbit as the mascot, lion dances, candle lanterns, and other lanterns depicting Jileyhud Buddha, God of Fortune, and the CNY Gate in Gede Market area.
The purpose of the 2023 Chinese New Year celebration is to make Solo a tourist city, which aligns with the vision and mission of the Solo city government, Hadinoto said.
One of the visions is to brand Solo City as a destination for celebrating the Lunar New Year that embraces diversity. This is expected to have a positive impact on the local community.
In addition, the 2023 Solo CNY committee will hold a blood donation camp at the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), Surakarta Office, on January 14, targeting 200 participants.
The Lunar New Year celebration in Solo will be enlivened by the Grebek Sudiro tradition in Gede Market area, which depicts the assimilation of Javanese and Chinese cultures, as well as a fireworks party on CNY eve at Surakarta City Hall Plaza on January 21.
The Chinese New Year celebration will come to end on February 5 with the Cap Go Meh celebration at Surakarta City Hall.
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Translator: Bambang M, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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