'EQUATOR CARNIVAL' PROMOTES PONTIANAK TOURISM

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Aug 23 (Antara) - The 'Equator Carnival 2015' organized in the West Kalimantan provincial capital of Pontianak for two days on Saturday and Sunday is considered successful and could be made an annual event to promote the  province's tourism.          Tourism Minister Arief Yahya claimed the event which was held in conjunction with the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of Indonesia's independence had made a great success.          "Thank God, the carnival made a great success," Minister Arief Yahya said in Pontianak at the conclusion of the activity on Sunday.      He referred to the great number of people, particularly the residents of Pontianak City and people from outside the city, who came to enliven the carnival event.          "More than a half of the Pontianak City residents flocked to the Kapuas Square last night to enliven the folk festival," the minister said.          The Equator Carnival consisted of three events - land carnival, water carnival and folk festivity.  Hundreds of decorated boats and cars took part in the carnivals.          Pontianak, the provincial capital of West Kalimantan, is the host of the Equator Monument which marks the division between the northern and southern hemispheres.