By Xinhua,
Jakarta : Dozens of old friends of president-elect Barack Obama will hold a party at their elementary school in Indonesia where they studied with him, a school teacher said here Tuesday.
Barack Obama spent his childhood in Indonesia and studied at SDN Menteng 01 in Jakarta from 1969 to 1971 as his mother Ann Dunham was married to a Javanese, Lolo Soetoro.
More than 30 of Obama’s classmates and the school teachers will hold the party Wednesday at the school, said vice principal Ahmad Solihin.
US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R. Hume and a number of foreign attaches would be present at the party, he said.
“We will perform traditional music, sing traditional songs and the national anthems of the two countries as well as having some nice food,” Solihin said.
Another celebration would be held in Ritz Carlton Hotel in the Indonesian capital Tuesday evening.
Obama plans to send a special message to Indonesians during his inauguration ceremony Jan 20, the committee for his inaugural celebration was quoted by the Jakarta Post as saying.
Maya Soetoro, Obama’s Indonesian half-sister, confirmed that she will send her greetings from Washington.
The school teachers and the US Democratic Party arm in Indonesia will also conduct an inaugural celebration in J.W. Marriot Hotel in Jakarta, said Solihin.