Wednesday, June 11th 2025 Reporter: Budhi Firmansyah Surapati Translator: Nugroho Adibrata 157
(Foto: Mochamad Tresna Suheryanto)
Jakarta Vice Governor, Rano Karno, officially opened Discover Betawi Art and Culture 2025 at Borobudur Hotel, Gambir, Central Jakarta. This event will be held until July 2025.
This is aimed at promoting the culture, cuisine, and all the unique characteristics of Betawi
According to him, this event is not just an art festival but a tangible form of collaboration between the government and cultural actors along with the hospitality sector.
He explained it is a continuation of the Balairung Sedaya initiative that was previously launched by the Jakarta Government and is now presented on a larger and more festive scale.
"This is aimed at promoting the culture, cuisine, and all the unique characteristics of Betawi," he explained.
He added event like this is also held in nine other hotels in Jakarta after passing through a collaboration process.
His party chose a star-rated hotel to target international guests. This is important to prepare Jakarta as a city of art and culture to impact the assessment of the world's top global cities.
He added the series of events begins with an arts performance, traditional culinary offerings, handicrafts, and stories from cultural maestros inviting guests to explore the unique wealth of Betawi. There are also competitions, a bazaar, and a festival that serve as a bridge for cross-generational community participation in preserving and celebrating Betawi's cultural heritage.
He hoped that it would enliven public and private spaces with a local cultural atmosphere, providing a worthy space for artists while strengthening the spirit of Jakarta as a modern city that still upholds its cultural identity.
Besides the government, they invited all elements of society to continue expanding the cultural movement to more spaces and sectors.
"We want the Betawi culture to not only be recognized but also to be proud of and passed down with full awareness," he asserted.
Jakarta Culture Agency Head, Mochammad Miftahulloh Tamary explained, the series of activities themed Heritage and Modernization of Betawi Cuisine includes a seminar and talk show on Betawi culture, a competition and Betawi cuisine festival, a festival and traditional Betawi martial arts competition, as well as a Betawi parade.
Then, there will be a program called "Jalan-Jalan Nyok," which is a tour activity to historical sites around Borobudur Hotel. There will also be Gambang Kromong music, a Betawi Painting Workshop, a Benyamin Suaeb Tribute Band Festival, Karaoke, and a Movie Screening.
"Until July, there will be a bazaar for MSMEs, Betawi cuisine, and Betawi-themed accessories, as well as Bogor Cafe Rasa Betawi (Betawi flavors). The Betawi Parade is planned to take place in the hotel area on June 22," he closed.