The 2018 Asian Games torch relay started on July 15, when the Eternal Flame was taken from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in India. The flame was then handed over to legendary Indonesian athlete Susi Susanti to be brought to Yogyakarta.
After a day in the Dirgantara Mandala Air Force Museum, the eternal flame was then reunited with the Mrapen eternal flame, Central Java at the official release ceremony of the Asian Games torch relay at Prambanan temple.
The Mrapen eternal flame was taken by Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani. The eternal flame is a geological phenomenon caused by gas leaking from the bowels of the earth, and never goes out despite the rain. It was united with the eternal flame from India in a ceremony to kick off the 2018 Asian Games torch relay at Prambanan temple in Central Java.
The ceremony was led by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, with 45 representatives of countries participating in the Games in attendance, along with famous Indonesian athletes and artists. The concert marked Prambanan temple as the start of the Asian Games torch relay, before the flame began its 18,000-kilometer journey through 18 provinces, 54 towns and 64 points in 35 days. The month-long torch parade will involve thousands of local people.
Starting with a tour around the city of Yogyakarta, the torch relay continued toward the city of Surakarta, where the parade was enlivened by the presence of actress Dian Sastrowardoyo and former badminton player Sigit Budiarto.
The torch relay will pass through tourist destinations in a bid to help promote Indonesian tourism and bring in foreign and domestic tourists. Each time the torch reaches a destination, there will be a welcome celebration that has been prepared by each region.
