"We are optimistic that thousands of domestic and foreign tourists will come."Medan, North Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Six countries will participate in the Barongsai (lion dance) Festival at Sera Guna stadium in Medan, North Sumatra, on June 23-24, according to an official.
"To date, six countries - Malaysia, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Indonesia - have confirmed their participation in the Barongsai Festival," local Culture and Tourism Office spokesman Agus Suriono said here on Friday.
According to Agus, the Barongsai Festival is among the many art and cultural performances that will be organised by the Medan city administration in a bid to support its "Visit Medan Year 2012" initiative.
Besides the Barongsai Festival, he said, art and cultural attractions from eight ethnic groups in North Sumatra would be showcased along with the traditional dances of Malay, Batak, Mandailing, Simalungun, and Nias.
Agus explained that the various art and cultural performances would be staged as part of Visit Medan Year 2012 in order to attract as many domestic and foreign tourists as possible to the capital of North Sumatra province.
In addition to increasing the number of tourists, the Medan city government also aims at maintaining and preserving the local art and culture.
"We are optimistic that thousands of domestic and foreign tourists will come to see the Barongsai Festival and other cultural attractions," Agus stated.
He said the Medan city government had set itself a target to attract at least 200,000 tourists in 2012.
(Uu.O001/INE/KR-BSR)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
