Jakarta's 499th Anniversary Celebration at DPD RI, Attended by FORKABI Members, Was a Success, Bang Azran: Betawi Culture Must Be a Living Tradition

16 July 2026 oleh admin

Jakarta, dpd.go.id - The series of events commemorating the 499th Anniversary of Jakarta with the theme "Preserving Culture, Caring for the Nation" which took place on July 13th to 16th, 2026 at the Plaza Gedung Nusantara V, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, officially ended successfully.

During the four days of the event, thousands of visitors crowded the event location to enjoy various Betawi arts and culture performances, the MSME Festival, traditional culinary delights, and various attractions that directly involved the community.

Member of the DPD RI/MPR RI for the DKI Jakarta Electoral District, Achmad Azran (Bang Azran), who is also the General Chairperson of the DPP FORKABI, expressed his appreciation to all parties who supported the implementation of this activity.

According to him, the high level of public enthusiasm proves that Betawi culture still holds a special place in the hearts of Jakarta residents and must continue to be cared for together.

Hundreds of FORKABI members from various areas of Jakarta attended and enlivened the entire series of activities. Their presence, along with the general public, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), artists, cultural figures, and Betawi figures, served as strong evidence that the spirit of preserving culture stems from the unity of all elements of society.

"For me, the success of this event isn't just measured by the number of visitors, but by the growing sense of belonging to Betawi culture. For four days, we witnessed people coming, enjoying the arts, supporting MSMEs, and introducing the culture to their children. This is what we must continue to build on: making cultural preservation a tradition, not just an annual ceremony," said Bang Azran.

The Betawi native emphasized that as Jakarta approaches its fifth century next year, cultural preservation must go hand in hand with community economic empowerment through strengthening MSMEs, providing spaces for artists to express themselves, and fostering a younger generation who cherishes their city's identity.

"Jakarta may continue to develop into a global city, but its cultural roots must not be uprooted. Betawi must remain alive through art, language, cuisine, customs, and the values of mutual cooperation inherited from our ancestors. If our culture is strong, the character of Jakarta's people will also be stronger," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Nurdin, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, who is also Deputy Secretary General of the DPP FORKABI, expressed his gratitude for the smooth running of the event from the first day to the closing. He said the high enthusiasm of the performers, MSMEs, visitors, and the community provided positive energy to continue creating a larger space for Betawi cultural preservation in the future.

"Thank God, the 499th anniversary of Jakarta's anniversary at the Plaza of the Nusantara V Building of the MPR RI went smoothly and received a very good response. This activity should be a momentum to build traditions while strengthening Betawi arts and culture which are currently facing the challenges of the times. We hope that collaboration like this will continue and become stronger in the years to come," said Nurdin, which was also agreed by FORKABI Secretary General Aditya.

Nurdin also expressed his gratitude to the Secretariat General of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the Secretariat General of the House of Regional Representative of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI), and the Secretariat General of the House of Representatives (DPR) for providing the venue and facilities for the event. He also expressed his appreciation to the Jakarta Provincial Government, particularly the Department of Culture and the Department of Manpower, Transmigration, and Energy, for their contributions to the success of the series of events commemorating Jakarta's 499th anniversary.

Azran hopes the spirit of collaboration fostered during the event will serve as a foundation for strengthening the preservation of Betawi culture in the future. He believes that synergy between the government, state institutions, community organizations, artists, MSMEs, and the community is key to maintaining Jakarta's identity amidst the city's rapid development.

"Thank you to the entire committee, artists, MSMEs, community leaders, government officials, and all residents who attended and contributed to the success of this event. May this togetherness be a shared endeavor to ensure that Betawi culture remains alive, thriving, and a source of pride for Jakarta as it enters its fifth century next year," Bang Azran concluded.(*)