Barongsai Festival: Sragen, Central Java

A lion and dragon dance (locally known as `barongsai`) festival will be organized in Sragen District, Central Java, from August 17 to 19, 2007.

The first `barongsai` national festival would be held at the initiative of the Indonesian youth affair and sport minister, Poedarwanto, a spokesman of the Sragen district administration said.

The national festival was aimed at strengthening the country’s unity and celebrating the country`s Independence Day, which falls on August 17, he said.

`Barongsai‘ (lion and dragon) dance is originally from China. About four percent of Indonesia’s 225-million population are Chinese Indonesians according to Antara News.