Rano Reminds Public of City's Identity at 2026 Pusta Karya Festival Opening

Jakarta Vice Governor Rano Karno officially opened the Pusta Karsa (Library, Archives, and Literature) Festival at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Menteng, Central Jakarta, Thursday (10/15).

The culture of reading can be promoted through creative avenues

The event, which features a series of literacy workshops, book discussions, reading performances, archival exhibitions, and the HB Jassin award night, runs from Wednesday (10/14) to next Thursday (10/22).

Rano stated that this event could serve as a platform to strengthen literacy culture, preserve history, and develop the world of literature.

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"I welcome the organizing of this event as a space to strengthen literacy culture, preserve history, and develop literature as part of Jakarta's identity as a global city," he explained.

He stressed that Jakarta's progress cannot rely solely on economic and infrastructural advancements, but must also be backed by a knowledgeable, creative, and culturally rich society.

Hence, literacy, archiving, and literature hold a significant role in shaping this kind of society.

Literacy and archiving, he asserted, help to comprehend the past, expand perspectives, and prepare a generation equipped to face the future.

"I am thankful that human development initiatives in Jakarta have yielded positive outcomes," he stated.

Rano explained that Jakarta’s 2025 Human Development Index (HDI) has reached 85.05 percent, alongside a literacy culture index of 78.76 percent and a public reading activity rate of 82.49 percent.

He added that while these milestones are worth celebrating, they should also act as a catalyst to further expand access to knowledge and establish reading as a daily habit for the public.

The festival also acts as a space to appreciate publishers, local government agencies, and regional-owned enterprises (BUMD) for their archival management performance, along with exemplary archivists.

At the same time, the conferring of the 2026 H.B. Jassin Charter will stand as a tribute to outstanding works and contributions within the Indonesian literary scene.

Rano further stressed the importance of constantly exploring ways to bring knowledge closer and make it more engaging for the community, particularly the youth.

"The culture of reading can be promoted through creative avenues like digital book reviews, vlogs, and reels," he continued.

He also mentioned that history can be packaged in an appealing way, ensuring that the youth not only understand the past but also share a sense of responsibility to safeguard it.

This endeavor can be strengthened by applying the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) concept.

He added, collaborations with art galleries and museums across Jakarta must be continually fostered, including by combining historical archives with exhibitions and visual art.

Thus, the city's history is not just stored away, but can be experienced and learned by the community through educational and interactive public spaces.

Ahead of Jakarta's 500th anniversary, Rano called on all parties to continue building a city that not only develops physically but is also rich in knowledge, values its history, and provides space for residents' creativity to flourish.

"I hope this festival will further foster a love for reading, strengthen awareness of archives, and bring literature to life as part of Jakarta's journey toward becoming a cultured global city," he concluded.