Celebrating 50th Anniversary, LKB Invites Communities to Expand Betawi Culture

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Betawi Cultural Institute (LKB) celebrated its 50th anniversary by organizing “Betawi Cultural Arts Performance” at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Jakarta, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The Chairman of LKB, Beky Mardani, said that the golden age of the Institute is a momentum to expand the collaboration of all elements of society in preserving Betawi culture amidst the development of Jakarta.

The performance also formed part of the series of events commemorating the 499th anniversary of the City of Jakarta. Embracing the spirit of preserving cultural heritage amid Jakarta's transformation into a global city, the event featured a diverse range of Betawi performing arts, including traditional dances, lenong theatre, Betawi music, and Betawi keroncong.

The event reflects LKB's five-decade commitment to preserving and promoting Betawi culture as an integral part of Jakarta's identity.

"The Betawi culture has proven its ability to adapt to various changes that have occurred in Jakarta. For hundreds of years, Betawi culture has coexisted with various other cultures and has been able to acculturate without losing its identity," Beky Mardani conveyed.

In addition, he underscored that Jakarta's transition into a global city should not diminish the Betawi identity as the capital's core cultural heritage.

"In the future, even as Jakarta becomes a global city, the Betawi identity will remain at the heart of its own city. We are grateful that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has reaffirmed that Betawi culture is the core cultural heritage of Jakarta," he said.

Meanwhile, Betawi Cultural Figure Yahya Andi Saputra believes that LKB's journey cannot be separated from the contribution of Ali Sadikin, Governor of DKI Jakarta from 1966 to 1977, who was one of the key figures behind the revival of Betawi culture. According to him, LKB continues to foster cultural regeneration through a range of educational programmes, including the revival of the Ngebuleng tradition and Sohibul Hikayat, as well as the organisation of the Abang None Cilik programme

"For the past 50 years, the Betawi Cultural Institute has been dedicated to delivering a wide range of cultural programmes for the community, students, and university students. This year, we are also reviving the Abang None Cilik programme, which had been inactive for many years," Yahya stated.

The event was also attended by Fauzi Bowo, Governor of DKI Jakarta from 2007 to 2012, a delegation from the Women International Club (WIC), comprising the wives of ambassadors from friendly countries, and representatives of Soka Gakkai from Japan. The presence of these international guests reflected the growing global recognition of Betawi culture.

As it marks its 50th anniversary, the Betawi Cultural Institute (LKB) reaffirms its commitment to serving as a centre for the preservation, development, scholarship, and regeneration of Betawi culture. In line with Jakarta's vision of becoming a global city and as it approaches its fifth centenary, LKB remains confident that Betawi culture will continue to form the foundation of Jakarta's identity and endure as a living cultural heritage that is passed down and enriched across generations.