Local Government: Preserving Betawi Culture is a Shared Responsibility

The Assistant for Administration and Public Welfare of Central Jakarta, Nurhidayat, emphasised that preserving Betawi culture requires the involvement of both the government and the community to ensure Jakarta’s cultural identity continues to thrive amidst modernisation.

“The preservation of culture is not just the responsibility of the government, but is a shared responsibility,” said Nurhancayat during the opening of the Betawi Cultural Charm Festival in Sumur Batu Village, Kemayoran, on Sunday.

He stated that the Betawi Cultural Charm Festival is being held in anticipation of Jakarta’s five-hundredth anniversary and serves as a platform to reintroduce the richness of Betawi culture to the public, particularly the younger generation.

Nurhidayat noted that the identity and essence of Betawi culture must continue to grow and develop amidst modernisation.

According to him, Betawi culture is a vital part of Jakarta’s identity, encompassing historical value, art, tradition, language, culinary arts, and local wisdom.

“Betawi culture is an essential part of Jakarta’s identity, possessing historical, artistic, traditional, linguistic, and culinary values, as well as local wisdom, which we must nurture together,” he said.

He believes that festival activities can provide a space for the younger generation to not only enjoy cultural performances but also to recognise the life values contained within them.

“On this occasion, we are not merely enjoying a performance, but also learning to understand the life values embedded within it,” he added.

Nurhidayat expressed hope that similar activities could strengthen the community’s sense of pride in local culture while fostering a spirit of mutual cooperation in its preservation.

“Hopefully, activities such as this can be implemented sustainably and become part of a collective effort to build a progressive Jakarta that maintains strong cultural roots,” said Nurhidayat.