VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The local government of Ende District in Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, will, from 2019 onwards, organize an annual historical tourism parade "Seribu Garuda," or A thousand Garuda, to commemorate Pancasila's anniversary every June 1.

"From this year on, we will hold the 'Seribu Garuda' Parade as another annual event as a conclusion to the national parade activities in Ende, which we have organized yearly since 2014," Deputy Head of Ende District Djafar Ahmad remarked in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on Monday.

Ahmad elaborated that the "Seribu Garuda" parade was organized to highlight the message of Pancasila, as the nation's sole ideological foundation, founded by first Indonesian President Soekarno while being exiled in Ende District during the 1934-1939 period.

Ahmad revealed that "Seribu Garuda" will be a national parade activity flagged off from the sea of Ende.

"Hence, the parade will be flagged off from the sea that symbolizes the arrival of Bung Karno (Soekarno) in Ende for his exile, and he will then be welcomed on land with the Seribu Garuda (Thousand Garuda)," he added.

The local government of Ende has worked consistently to continually convey and reiterate the significance of Pancasila as the key icon of the district's historical tourism.

In addition to holding the "Seribu Garuda" parade, Ahmad stated that the local government will put up a huge sign bearing the words "Ende Pancasila City" on Gunung Meja.

"We are in discussions about whether we are going to build a big statue of Soekarno or a Garuda bird, in addition to the large sign," he added.

Ahmad expressed hope that putting focus on the message of Pancasila as part of historical tourism will help to further drive the tourism sector and draw more visitors to the district's tourism attractions.

"We have in place a strong branding, as the city where the Pancasila ideology took birth and was studied by several people, including from other nations," he added. (ANTARA)