Rani Permata
Aug 10, 2026
Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta Commemorates Its 64th Anniversary with ‘Ādi-Kartā’ — Honouring President Sukarno’s Enduring Legacy
An immersive afternoon celebrating fine art, culinary heritage, and multi-generational experiences.
Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta hosted an exquisite afternoon soirée on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, to commemorate its 64th anniversary. The celebration honoured the nation’s first President, Sukarno, and his vision for the iconic hotel.
The anniversary theme, Ādi-Kartā (Sanskrit for 'First' or 'Prime Architect'), was chosen to honour President Sukarno not only as a statesman, but also as a visionary who guided the artistic direction, architectural vision and cultural identity of Hotel Indonesia when its opened in 1962.
Realising Sukarno's vision of the hotel as a 'living room for the nation,' the afternoon celebration brought together 100 distinguished guests in the hotel lobby for the unveiling of the art exhibition, ‘The Founders: A Legacy Beyond Time’, presented in partnership with Neo Gallery and curated by Hendra Himawan.
The lobby was transformed into a living canvas showcasing iconic works by leading artists from Sukarno’s era. Featuring works by S. Sudjojono, Affandi, Basoeki Abdullah, Hendra Gunawan, Lee Man Fong, Dullah, Wakidi, and R.M. Pirngadie, the exhibition paid tribute to the artists who helped shape Indonesia’s visual identity. Meanwhile, Nirwana Lounge celebrated the dynamic future of Indonesian art by showcasing vibrant works by contemporary talents M. Ghoni and Haidar Ammar.
A central highlight of the event was an exclusive viewing of the rare 1964 Lee Man-Fong compilation volume documenting Sukarno’s private art collection, graciously made available from the collection of Troy Fridatama and displayed across the lobby and The Executive Lounge.
‘The Founders: A Legacy Beyond Time’ does not merely present the works of Indonesian fine art masters, but invites us to understand how they shaped the way the nation sees itself. Through their creations, fine art became a vital cornerstone in the birth of Indonesia’s visual identity. This exhibition demonstrates that the pioneers of Indonesian fine art did not merely leave behind an artistic legacy; they passed down a profound way of seeing the nation. Each artwork represents a piece of visual history that continues to shape Indonesia's collective memory to this day’, remarked exhibition curator Hendra Himawan.
Recognising the importance of multi-generational experiences in preserving history, the hotel is proud to partner with Produksi Film Negara (PFN) and Museum Gubug Wayang Mojokerto to bring the beloved 1980s cultural icon, Si Unyil, back to life. Moving beyond legacy puppetry, this dynamic collaboration includes an engaging social media campaign, mascot meet-and-greet sessions during weekend brunches at Signatures Restaurant, a bespoke limited-edition pastry at Kempi Deli, commemorative Flazz cards, and a holiday passport for children featuring a 64-item family treasure hunt exploring history, culinary arts, and heritage throughout August.
‘This year, we invite our guests to experience our theme, Ādi-Kartā—a homage to Indonesia’s first President, Sukarno. Beyond his political legacy, President Sukarno was a true visionary who sought to showcase the beauty, culture, and modernity of Indonesia through the visual arts. His passion remains a profound source of inspiration that deserves to be honoured for generations to come. Preserving nostalgia while creating multi-generational experiences lies at the very heart of what makes this historic hotel so special. To bridge our rich heritage with the future, we are thrilled to bring back Si Unyil, through interactive installations and family experiences, allowing younger generations to connect with this timeless story today’, stated Petra Baumann, General Manager of Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta.
The Ādi-Kartā festivities and ‘The Founders: A Legacy Beyond Time’ exhibition will continue throughout the month of August. Guests are invited to experience culinary journey inspired by President Sukarno’s favourite dishes, enjoy Si Unyil meet-and-greet encounters during weekend brunches, and discover exclusive 64th-anniversary memorabilia, including 100 limited-edition Petualangan Si Unyil Flazz cards and 64 collectible packages of five-year-old Iwak Arumery Origine, each complete with a Certificate of Authenticity.
