Celebrating Betawi Culture with Mercure Sabang

BETAWI DAY AT MERCURE JAKARTA SABANG: 
A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE, EDUCATION, AND FAMILY FUN
 

In celebration of Jakarta’s 498th anniversary, Mercure Jakarta Sabang proudly hosted Betawi Day, a vibrant cultural event that brought the rich heritage of Betawi to life for families to enjoy together. This all-day celebration blended entertainment, education, and traditional experiences in a cheerful and authentic Betawi atmosphere.

Cultural activities were just the beginning—culinary delights took center stage too. Clovia Restaurant, the hotel’s signature dining venue, presented a lavish Betawi-themed buffet featuring iconic dishes such as Pecak Gurame, Nasi Ulam, traditional Jakarta cookies, and Bir Pletok. The menu was thoughtfully crafted to evoke nostalgia and introduce the rich flavors of Betawi cuisine to both local and international guests.

The Betawi Day lineup included:

• TransJakarta City Tour – Guests and hotel visitors joined a fun and educational sightseeing tour of Jakarta’s landmarks aboard the city’s iconic double-decker bus.

• Betawi Batik Workshop & Handicraft Bazaar – A celebration of local creativity, offering hands-on interaction between artisans and visitors.

• Fresh Market Cooking Class – A lively culinary session using traditional market ingredients, where participants decorated their own mini Roti Buaya.

• Betawi Dance Class – Children learned basic moves of Betawi traditional dance, guided by professional instructors.

One of the highlights of the day was the Abang None Cilik competition, where children proudly wore traditional costumes and showcased their confidence, cultural knowledge, and artistic talents.

The competition was hosted by Abang None Jakarta Pusat 2024 finalists, Abang Rahulla Zein Ihsan and None Nurul Hanina Efendi, and judged by Karina Syahna (None Jakarta 2017) and Novi Shara Shainia (Traditional Dance Teacher and Performer).

The winners of Abang None Cilik 2025 were:

• 3rd Place: Muhammad Ibnu Abdul Mugni & Nayla Anindira Talaga

• 2nd Place: Alexander & Feyza Riztie Amalia

• 1st Place: Mihran Ashlan Vernandes & Zeeya Shakila Najma Orlin

• Favorite Pair: Syailendra Arsha Al Hafiz & Ghaniya

Each winner received cash prizes and exclusive stay vouchers from Mercure Jakarta Sabang, in appreciation of their spirit in preserving local culture.

Hotel Manager Winaryo Wasdi shared,
"We believe that introducing local culture in creative ways to the younger generation is a key step in preserving the city’s identity. Betawi Day is not just a celebration—it’s a space where the values and character of Jakarta’s children can grow."

Supported by the Central Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Office (Sudin Parekraf), TransJakarta, and Wastra Kreatif, this event is also part of Mercure Hotels’ global Discover Local campaign, which highlights local culture as an essential part of each guest’s experience.