BANDUNG'S ASIA-AFRICA CARNIVAL SET TO BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya has declared that the Asia Africa Carnival in Bandung will be
an annual, international-level event following its success during the Asian-African
Commemoration Conference (AACC) festivities during the week.
Bandung is cool, the Bandung mayor is cool. I want to do something that only Bandung can
pull off," Arief said on Saturday in Bandung as quoted by Antara news agency."Let this
carnival be an annual, international-level event in Bandung."
Ariefs declaration was well-received by Bandung Mayor Ridwan "Emil" Kamil, who called
upon residents to get involved in next years event. During the AACC festivities in Bandung,
some 10,000 volunteers helped out.
"Thank you to all Bandungers and thank you to the 10,000 volunteers who cooperated so the
event went well," he said.
"Insya Allah [God willing], next year the carnival will become even merrier with more Asian
and African countries taking part."
Emil noted that Bandung had proven itself capable of holding such an international-level
event and said he hoped it would instill further solidarity and cooperation among residents.