Kali Pasir Fest Envisioned as Jakarta Cultural Landmark
- 24 Jul 2026 19:58 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- The Central Jakarta Administration said Jakarta’s aspiration to become a global city must be supported not only by infrastructure development but also by strong arts and cultural progress.
- The 2026 Kali Pasir Festival is expected to become a cultural icon and help strengthen Jakarta’s identity ahead of the city’s 500th anniversary.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Strengthening Jakarta’s status as a global city does not depend solely on infrastructure development, but also on progress in the arts and culture. One effort to support that goal is the 2026 Kali Pasir Festival, which is expected to become a cultural icon while also reinforcing Jakarta’s identity ahead of the city’s 500th anniversary.
Central Jakarta City Secretary, Denny Ramdany, said a global city is not built only on physical development, but also art and cultural events that can draw the attention of both residents and visitors.
“The Kali Pasir Festival, initiated by the Jakarta Institute of the Arts (IKJ), is one of the activities supporting Jakarta as it moves toward becoming a global city,” said Denny when opening the 2026 Kali Pasir Festival at the IKJ Campus in Cikini, Central Jakarta on Friday, July 24, 2026.
He said Jakarta has strong potential in the arts and culture sector that should be showcased more widely to tourists, just as other regions have developed signature cultural attractions. According to him, the Kali Pasir Festival could become one destination that introduces Jakarta’s artistic and cultural richness to visitors.
To support its development, Denny proposed that the festival be presented on a larger scale next year. He said that one possible solution is to establish a live performance stage in the Kali Pasir area.
He also said the festival’s development should involve the pentahelix elements, which are the administration, the public, universities, business actors, media, and arts communities, so its benefits can reach a wider audience.
He expressed hope that the Kali Pasir Festival would grow into an annual cultural event that strengthens Jakarta’s position as a creative, inclusive, and internationally competitive city.
“Let us show, as Jakarta residents, that there is so much potential we can explore, especially today through arts and cultural events. Let us involve all related stakeholders,” said Denny, as quoted by Antara.
The 2026 Kali Pasir Festival is the second edition organized by IKJ, the Jakarta Arts and Culture Foundation, and the Jakarta Provincial Administration. The event features art performances; music; discussions; Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) bazaars; workshops; and various activities involving the community around the IKJ campus.
Community collaboration is showcased through a lenong performance, a betawi traditional folk theater, staged jointly by IKJ students and residents of Kali Pasir.
The festival, held on July 24–25, 2026, is also enlivened by performances from musicians and art groups including The Adams, Sisitipsi, Indische Party, Kebunku, Jagad Pantomime, Boogie Dance, and Yola Dance. The program also includes book discussions featuring works by Seno Gumira Ajidarma and Beng Rahadian. ***
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