RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - As Jakarta accelerates its transformation into a premier global city, the provincial administration is ensuring that its metropolitan evolution does not come at the cost of its ancestral soul. By positioning the annual Betawi Eid al-Fitr festival and a series of intensive cultural workshops at the heart of its development strategy, the city is signaling that the path to a global future is paved with local heritage.

The Lebaran Betawi celebration, a tradition established in 2008 by the Betawi Consultative Body (Bamus), has evolved from a single-day gathering into a massive three-day cultural showcase. This year, the festivities at Lapangan Banteng featured iconic Ondel-ondel parades, the rhythmic Palang Pintu tradition, and a culinary spread including Kerak Telor and Soto Betawi.

"Betawi culture is the primary identity that must continue to live and develop amidst the changing times," said Jakarta Governor, Pramono Anung, during the opening of the event on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Beyond the festive atmosphere, the city's strategy focuses on deep-rooted educational initiatives to prevent cultural erosion. From March through November 2026, the Betawi Cultural Village is hosting interactive workshops covering traditional dance, music, and crafts.

Vice Governor Jakarta, Rano Karno, emphasized that this cultural foundation is what distinguishes world-class cities from mere urban centers. "Jakarta is transforming into a cultured global city, not only through infrastructure or technology, but also by placing art and culture as the soul of the city," he noted, as quoted by Antara.

However, cultural experts argue that the journey to becoming a "Global and Cultured City" requires more than just ceremonial festivals. A prominent Betawi culturalist and Deputy Chairperson of the Betawi Cultural Institution, Yahya Andi Saputra, pointed out that consistent, tiered training is essential for true preservation.

He advocated for integrating Betawi culture as a mandatory subject in Jakarta schools rather than just a local elective. "The problem now is the quantity, namely the frequency of that training, not the quality," remarked Yahya.

The provincial administration continues to open creative spaces at strategic landmarks like Hotel Indonesia Roundabout (Bundaran HI), National Monument (Monas), and Kota Tua to ensure that traditional performers have a stage in the modern era. Events like "Jakarta Dalam Warna" (Jakarta in Color) at Bundaran HI have already provided thousands of silat martial arts practitioners and dancers a platform to showcase their skills.

By blending these large-scale spectacles with grassroots education, Jakarta aims to ensure that the Betawi identity remains a living, breathing part of the city’s daily life rather than a historical footnote. ***