Thousands Of Betawi Arts Will Enliven Carnival To Welcome Jakarta's 500th Anniversary

Ondel-ondel Jakarta (Photo: Karisa Aurelia Tukan/VOI)

JAKARTA - Welcoming Jakarta's 500th anniversary, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government plans to feature 5,000 Betawi arts on Sunday, June 29.

Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Rano Karno, said that a large carnival will be held every month in the HI Roundabout area on Jalan Thamrin, Central Jakarta, with the initial trial starting on June 29, 2025.

"Tomorrow, June 29 (2025) is the first trial. Perhaps we will show 5,000 Betawi arts, which start with broken silat, then dances, and others," said Rano during a car free day activity in Dukuh Atas, Central Jakarta, citing ANTARA on Sunday, June 8.

The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will also add entertainment points in a car free day (CFD) on Jalan Sudirman-Thamrin, Jakarta.

According to Rani, apart from celebrating Jakarta's anniversary, CFD is also a source of happiness for the community.

"From our survey for a month, the presence of entertainment adds to happiness. So apart from being healthy, I am also happy. That's why I ask the agency to make this CFD a happy place. Then, in its big plans, every month towards 500 years, we will build a large cultural carnival," said the Deputy Governor, who is known as Bang Doel.

The entertainment point at CFD Jakarta in addition to being in the Jakarta Creative Zone, Dukuh Atas, said Rano, will also be held in the Gelora Bung Karno area and the fountain area at the end of Thamrin Street.

Bang Doel said that he would present more activities to attract people who are currently active in CFD so that they can reduce the use of private vehicles.

"Yes, if I see that this CFD has become a favorite. That's why I have the idea of getting input. One thing we get from this CFD, this is actually a long time analysis. The carbon emissions in Jakarta are decreasing. This means that this makes Jakarta air, but only one day a week," said Bang Doel.