Jakarta Marks 499th Anniversary with City-Wide Festivities

Jakarta is set to mark its 499th anniversary with a grand celebration on Saturday, June 27, transforming the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout into a hub of cultural performances, concerts, and public festivities. The event, themed "Towards Five Centuries of Jakarta," aims to be a significant milestone as the Indonesian capital approaches its 500th anniversary.

Organizers have planned a comprehensive program running from 3:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time, offering free admission to the public. Suharini Eliawati, chair of the anniversary committee, highlighted the event's importance as a prelude to the city's quincentennial. "The 499th anniversary marks an important milestone as Jakarta approaches five centuries. Therefore, this year's celebration will feature various gifts for the public," she stated.

The festivities will include performances by popular artists such as Padi Reborn, Mahalini, and Adrian Khalif, alongside a multimedia spectacle featuring a lighting show, video mapping, and environmentally themed art installations. A section of M.H. Thamrin Street will be closed to accommodate the event, from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Continuing into Sunday, June 28, the "Colorful Jakarta" program will offer a day of cultural and entertainment activities, including fitness sessions, a giant balloon parade, marching band performances, a mass Nusantara dance, and urban theater. To encourage participation, fares for MRT Jakarta, LRT Jakarta, and Transjakarta services will be reduced to Rp1 (less than US$0.01) on both June 27 and 28. Additionally, residents and visitors can enjoy free admission to attractions like Ancol Dreamland, the National Monument, and Ragunan Zoo.

“

The 499th anniversary marks an important milestone as Jakarta approaches five centuries. Therefore, this year's celebration will feature various gifts for the public.