Jakarta Celebrates Its 494th Anniversary In Modest Ceremony due to Covid-19 Surge

JAKARTA,KOMPAS.com - Jakarta commemorated its 494th anniversary in a modest ceremony led by Governor Anies Baswedan at the city hall on Tuesday, June 22 due to a surge in Covid-19 cases.

The new number of Covid-19 cases today reached 3,331, bringing the total number of active cases in the capital city to more than 33,000. Meanwhile, the cumulative number of coronavirus since it was first detected in March last year reached more than 479,000 cases in Jakarta. 

In his speech, Anies called for the residents to remain strong in facing the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. “Jakarta is a city filled with tough people, who can face challenges, won’t give up easily, and ready to work hard,” Anies said.

His aspirations align with this year's theme for the commemoration, 'Jakarta Revives.' He hoped that the theme will ignite the spirit of resilience of the Jakarta residents despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jakarta hit the highest daily number of Covid-19 recently following a new wave of infections that could be driven by the spread of the more contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, which put the referral hospital in danger of collapsing.

Under normal circumstances, festive activities and events were held to celebrate Jakarta’s anniversary with the Jakarta Night Festival as the main event on MH Thamrin Road in Central Jakarta.

Various traditional and modern shows that took place until July also entertained residents, such as Jakarnaval, Jakarta Beat Society, Seribu Island Indie Festival, Jakarta Creative Night, and the Abang None pageant.

But, for two consecutive years, muted celebrations marked the city's anniversary due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

KOMPAS.com / KRISTIANTO PURNOMO The Covid-19 special burial ground in the Srengseng Sawah Public Cemetery (TPU), South Jakarta, on Tuesday (22/6/2021).

LUCKY PRANSISKA Jakarta residents crowded MH Thamrin road, Central Jakarta, on Saturday, June 21, 2019. Welcoming the 487th anniversary of Jakarta, the Jakarta Night Festival was held along MH Thamrin road and the National Monument.

(Writers: Rindi Nuris Velarosdela, Singgih Wiryono| Editors: Rindi Nuris Velarosdela, Irfan Maullana)

Sources: https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2021/06/22/12485791/anies-optimistis-jakarta-bangkit-dari-pandemi-covid-19

https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2021/06/22/06423981/kado-ulang-tahun-ke-494-jakarta-lonjakan-covid-19-hingga-rs-terancam?page=all.