Hundreds of visitors packed the Jakarta Library at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Central Jakarta, on Friday (6/26) evening for Night at The Library, themed "Jakarta 499: Writing the 500th Page of Jakarta."

Organized by the Jakarta Library and Archives Agency, the event was one of a series of activities commemorating Jakarta's 499th anniversary while welcoming the city's 500th anniversary in 2027.

The event attracted approximately 500 to 600 visitors, who participated in a range of literacy activities, discussions, artistic performances, and the launch of the 2026 HB Jassin Literary Festival.

"If Jakarta has spent this year on page 499, we are now inviting the public to begin writing page 500. It marks the start of a new chapter for Jakarta, filled with creative works, ideas, and positive initiatives as the city approaches its 500th anniversary," he said in a written statement released on Saturday (6/27).

Nasruddin said libraries should evolve into vibrant, inclusive public spaces that foster creativity rather than serving solely as places to borrow books.

He added that he was pleased to see more people choosing to spend their evenings at the library.

"A library is not merely a place to read books, but a place to read life itself," he said.

During the event, Nasruddin also introduced the concept of Jakarta as the "Mother of Stories," emphasizing that the city is shaped not only by its buildings and infrastructure, but also by its history, literature, journalism, culture, and the lives of its people.

"If buildings are the body of a city, then stories are its soul. Jakarta is fortunate to have such a rich soul," he noted.

According to him, Jakarta has long played a central role in the development of literacy in Indonesia, from the emergence of the country's modern newspapers and Balai Pustaka to the growth of thousands of writers, journalists, publishers, cultural figures, and creative communities.

Building on that legacy, Nasruddin also announced the launch of the 2026 HB Jassin Literary Festival, describing it as a collective movement to strengthen reading, writing, discussion, and appreciation of literary works.

He added that Jakarta's designation as a UNESCO City of Literature carries the responsibility to continue fostering a culture of reading and critical thinking.

"Next year, Jakarta will celebrate its 500th anniversary. Five centuries represent more than the age of a city—they celebrate a city's ability to keep learning and pass knowledge on to future generations," he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Library and HB Jassin Literary Documentation Center Head Diki Lukman Hakim said the event featured a public discussion titled "Portraits of Jakarta in Literature Through the Ages," with speakers Hilmar Farid, Asep Kambali, and Avianti Armand, moderated by Jovial da Lopez.

The program also included an Ismail Marzuki monologue performed by Sun Community, along with musical performances by Duo Libra, Smoothies, Alika Shafira, and Ecoutez.

"The event offered residents an opportunity to see Jakarta through different lenses—from history and literature to the arts and collective memory—while underscoring the library's role as a literacy center and an increasingly popular public space," he said.

Diki added that the library is offering 16 special programs during the school holiday period, which runs from June 23 until the end of the break. The lineup includes workshops, craft activities, storytelling sessions, and a variety of educational activities for children.

"With Jakarta's anniversary coinciding with the school holidays, we have prepared a range of activities so children can continue learning while enjoying their vacation at the library," he said.