Jakarta’s Preparations for its 500th Anniversary
Jakarta has begun preparing a range of activities ahead of its 500th anniversary next year. Cultural events, from artistic performances to public participation initiatives, are being held in anticipation of the historic occasion.
The preparations are part of an effort to showcase the capital’s cultural diversity. The activities also give residents an opportunity to express their hopes and take part in welcoming five centuries of Jakarta’s history.
Inviting kings and sultans from across the archipelago
Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno plans to invite kings and sultans from across the archipelago to attend the city’s 500th anniversary celebrations in 2027. The Jakarta administration will also prepare a special event for the guests.
Rano announced the plan while attending the Sarendo-Rendo Carnival near the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout in Central Jakarta on Sunday (18 October 2026). The event was held to welcome National Culture Day and showcase the capital’s cultural diversity.
“And God willing, next year Jakarta will turn 500, five centuries old. We are inviting the kings and sultans of the archipelago back to Jakarta,” Rano said in his speech.
Culture forms part of the preparations
Rano said Jakarta has a diverse cultural heritage. The capital’s culture, he said, is not limited to Betawi traditions, but also includes the many cultures from other regions whose communities live alongside one another in Jakarta.
“We realise that Jakarta is not just Betawi. There are Javanese, Bugis, Chinese, Ambonese and Balinese people here; everyone is here,” he said.
The Jakarta administration also runs a programme called Jakarta Penuh Warna (Jakarta in Full Colour), held every two months. It provides a platform to showcase culture and involve Jakarta’s arts groups.
Rano said cultural events also bring economic benefits to the areas where they are held. He cited hotel occupancy near the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout, which he said had risen from about 40 per cent to 80–90 per cent.
Giant spheres invite residents to share their hopes
Preparations for Jakarta’s five-century milestone also involve public participation. One initiative is an art installation of five giant spheres displayed near the Welcome Monument during the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout car-free day on Sunday (18 October 2026).
The work, titled Jakarta Kulminasi, was created by artist Gogor Purwoko. Event organiser representative Dipa Azuri said the five spheres symbolise Jakarta’s 500-year journey, with each representing one century.
“There are five spheres, one for every 100 years of Jakarta. At six o’clock, we first rolled them around Jakarta’s Hotel Indonesia Roundabout. Then we invited people to stop by and interact with the spheres by writing their hopes and what they feel about living in Jakarta,” Dipa said.
The spheres are covered in newspaper and residents are invited to write or paint on them. Messages include calls to save forests and warnings about haze.
A space for expression and civic concern
Naufal, a resident of Jagakarsa in South Jakarta, wrote “save our forest” on the installation. He said the message reflected his concern about environmental conditions, including forest and land fires.
“Yes, I wrote that. It’s timely, given the forest and land fires; I heard the smoke has reached Jakarta too. I hope this becomes a way for us to voice our concern,” Naufal said.
The Jakarta Kulminasi installation is due to be moved to Taman Ismail Marzuki for exhibition. The work is one of several activities inviting residents to take part in welcoming Jakarta’s 500th anniversary.