Banda Aceh, Aceh (ANTARA News) - Ten countries look set to take part in the Aceh International Folklore Festival (AIFF) scheduled for July 23 in Aceh`s provincial capital of Banda Aceh.

"Until today, 10 countries have confirmed their plan to participate in the AIFF," secretary of the event`s organizing committee M Adli Abdullah said here on Tuesday.

The ten countries are Italy, Ecuador, Estonia, Lithuania, Brazil, South Africa, Malaysia, Poland, Turkey and Pakistan.

"We will be waiting for the other countries to confirm their planned arrival until July 22," he said.

Meanwhile, show manager Ayi Sarjev said the festival would be organized in different places in Aceh, including Putroe Phang Park, Tsunami Museum, Ulee Lheu, Rex Peunayoeng, and Sinbun Sibreh.

"We will hold the festival in such way because it is folk dance so it must be brought closer to the people. Yet the festival will be centered at Ratu Safiatuddin park," he said.

Sarjev in the company of deputy secretary of the event`s organizing committee Edi Kamal said preparations for the festival had been 100 percent completed.

"Thank God, we are ready to receive the arrival of foreign guests now," he said.

Sarjev said the Aceh governor was expected to open the festival.

The organizing committee would also organize a carnival in Banda Aceh ahead of the festival, he said.

He expressed hope that all parties would support the event so that it could be organized on schedule.

"By holding the event, let`s demonstrate to the world that Aceh is safe for everybody," he said.
(T.ANT-286*BDA1/S012/HAJM)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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