The Vibrant Chinese Cultural Week in Kampung Ketandan, Yogyakarta
KAMPUNG Ketandan, known as Yogyakarta’s Chinatown, is adorned with Chinese-themed decorations on Wednesday (February 25th). Various foods and souvenirs are neatly arranged to celebrate the 21st Yogyakarta Chinese Cultural Week (PBTY) in 2026.
In one of the buildings known as the Captain Tan Djin Sing House, there is an exhibition of Chinese history in Indonesia, starting with the arrival of Chinese people in the archipelago, various types of Chinese musical instruments, Potehi and Wacinwa puppets, Wishing Boards, Peranakan bedrooms, and the role of Peranakan Chinese in Indonesian independence.
This cultural event, which begins on February 25th, 2026, and ends on March 3rd, 2026, carries the theme ‘Cultural Heritage, National Strength.’ According to the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, PBTY is a space for reflection on values, not just an annual celebration.
He emphasized that PBTY is not just a gathering of traditions but a moment for the collective awareness of society in preserving diversity. ‘This is a moment of value, not just a gathering of traditions, but also a meeting of awareness about the importance of harmony in diversity,’ said Sri Sultan.
In this Year of the Fire Horse, the Sultan advised that the energy and spirit that accompany the year should be guided to bring light to communal life. This spirit must be realized in concrete actions, strengthening solidarity, and committing to maintaining national unity through cultural channels.
Culture has the power to unite beyond the barriers of identity. By raising this theme, PBTY is expected to be a reminder that diversity is a social capital that must be preserved and developed.
The Mayor of Yogyakarta, Hasto Wardoyo, said that PBTY is a real space to see the acculturation of cultures that have grown and developed in the City of Yogyakarta. ‘With PBTY, people can see how the acculturation of Chinese and Javanese cultures harmoniously intertwines in the City of Yogyakarta. This is a treasure that not all regions have,’ he said.
Hasto is optimistic that this event will increase tourism and extend the length of stay of tourists in Yogyakarta, especially with the increasing number of new flight routes to the Special Region of Yogyakarta. This is because Yogyakarta has a unique acculturation of Chinese culture that is not found elsewhere.
‘Events like this open up many opportunities for MSME actors, especially in the culinary sector. Economic activity increases, and the surrounding community also benefits,’ he added.
In the future, Hasto hopes that PBTY can present cross-regional collaborations, especially with the City of Singkawang, West Kalimantan. Hasto plans to meet with the Mayor of Singkawang to discuss the possibility of the city’s participation in PBTY next year.
‘If the two are combined, it will be very good. It can become a strong cultural and spiritual Imlek-based tourist destination,’ he said.
This collaboration is expected to create a cultural agglomeration that strengthens the position of the City of Yogyakarta as a cultural city and a thematic tourist destination based on diversity. (H-2)
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