Doc: Untar PR – AW
Jakarta, the metropolitan city that never sleeps, celebrates its 497th anniversary on June 22, 2024.
Carrying the theme “Jakarta, a Global City with a Million Enchantments”, the 497th anniversary of Jakarta marks the transition of the state capital’s status towards a new direction of development into a global city.
A Brief History of Jakarta
Jakarta’s history begins with a small harbor called Sunda Kelapa, which became an important trading point in Southeast Asia.
In 1527, Fatahillah of the Demak Sultanate conquered Sunda Kelapa and changed its name to Jayakarta, meaning city of glory and prosperity. This name change marked the beginning of the city of Jakarta as we know it today.
Entering the Dutch colonial period, the name Jayakarta was changed to Batavia in 1619, when the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) took over the city.
The name Batavia lasted until the Japanese occupation in 1942, when the city’s name was changed to Jakarta.
After Indonesia’s independence, Jakarta was inaugurated as the country’s capital in 1966. From here, Jakarta grew rapidly into a center of government, business and culture.
Jakarta Anniversary Celebration
Jakarta Fair Kemayoran // Doc: Jakarta Fair
Every year, Jakarta’s anniversary is celebrated with various festive activities. One of the main events is the Jakarta Fair Kemayoran.
It is the largest exhibition in Southeast Asia featuring a variety of local and international products, musical entertainment, and Jakarta’s culinary specialties.
In addition to Jakarta Fair, there is also the Ondel-Ondel Festival, a parade of Betawi arts and culture. The festival features giant ondel-ondel puppets, traditional dances, and Gambang Kromong music.
Ondel-ondel // Doc: Indonesia Kaya
In this festival, visitors can watch various art performances that illustrate the richness of Betawi culture.
Challenges and Expectations
As a big city, Jakarta is not free from challenges. Problems such as traffic jams, floods, and air pollution are homework that must be resolved.
The government continues to make various improvements, ranging from infrastructure development, revitalization of public transportation, to urban greening programs.
On the other hand, the development of technology and innovation opens up new opportunities for Jakarta. With smart city initiatives, Jakarta is expected to become a more friendly, efficient, and sustainable city.
Projects such as Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) that continue to be developed are concrete steps to make Jakarta more modern and comfortable.
Jakarta’s anniversary is not just a celebration, but also a momentum for reflection and planning for a better future.
By remembering history and welcoming the future, we have an important role in building Jakarta into a better city for all.
Article compiled from several sources (KJ/AW/KJ)