Pasar Gede Solo redden by hundreds of lampion to celebrate Imlek 2007SOLO. For the last 2 weeks, Pasar Gede, Solo, Central Java, Indonesia has been looking brighter and “reddish” in the evening. Hundreds of lanterns are hung around the outer roof edge of Pasar Gede, which is 10,421 square acres wide. A big lantern that is put at the very centre of the main gate seems to greet every visitor and enlighten them.
These lanterns have been installed since January 30th to celebrate the Chinese New Year 2559 that will come on February 7th, 2008. The committee of “Cahaya Lampion” have prepared many events to greet the coming Chinese New Year. The sequence of events which is titled “Gerebeg Sudiro in Lampion Light” come in various activities as follow:
January 30 – February 2 : Balong in the bright light of the lanterns
January 31 – February 5 : Acupuncture mass medication
February 2 : Koes Plus Music Concert
February 3 : The peak event of Gerebeg Sudiro. There are carnival of lanterns and moon cake, barongsai and liong performance, Jathilan dance and also Pat Im music performance.
February 6 : Blood Donation
February 9 : Keroncong Music Concert
People who live in Surodiprajan kampong was the one who get the idea of holding this event at Pasar Gede. The market that was built on January 12, 1930 is considered as the most appropriate one due to its history. Moreover, it is located near the Chinatown of Solo that is Surodiprajan kampong itself.
The relationship between Pasar Gede and Chinese people had existed since the beginning of the establishment of Pasar Gede, formerly called Hardjonagoro Market. Once it was taken care by Tjan Sie Ing, a Lieutenant de Chinezen, a Chinese leader who was legitimated by the Dutch colonial at that time. He was given an agreement from Kasunanan Surakarta Palace to run the market with a profit division.
