Children Explore Jakarta's Archives and Trading History Through Dispusip Program

Jakarta Library and Archive Agency (Dispusip), in collaboration with Ruru Kids, held a workshop session "Playing and Exploring Archives for Children" at Emiria Soenassa Gallery and Soedjojono Gallery, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Central Jakarta.

"Through this simple bartering game, children learn to understand the value of exchange,"

The event was part of archival exhibition "Lo Jual Gue Beli", which runs from October 14-22, 2025, as part of Pustakarsa Festival under the theme "Reading, Writing, Remembering: Welcoming Jakarta's 500th Anniversary".

The workshop, aimed at children under five, introduced basic trading concepts through play and simple simulations, rather than directly teaching Jakarta's trading history.

Jakarta Literacy Festival 2025 Presents a Space for Community and Public Encounters

Jakarta Dispusip Head, Nasruddin Djoko Surjono, said the workshop was designed to help children understand trade and Jakarta's identity as a trading city through engaging and interactive activities.

In a session called Pasaria, children created their own "transaction tools" using handmade coins decorated with their drawins of flowers, leaves, or insects. These coins could then be exchanged for items like fruit, cakes, or snacks.

"Through this simple bartering game, children learn to understand the value of exchange and the basics of economic transactions from an early age, without needing to grasp the formal concept of money," he said on Sunday (10/19).

He added that the activity served as an educational platform to introduce Jakarta's archives and history in a fun and creative way. In addition to stimulating imagination, children were encouraged to explore and engage actively through art, games, and simulation.

"The creations they made could be taken home as souvenirs, adding to the excitement and leaving a positive impression of this learn-and-play experience at Taman Ismail Marzuki," he mentioned.

Head of Archives at Jakarta Dispusip, Fitri Aulia, added that the Playing and Exploring Archives for Children program was an innovative step in introducing archival concepts to children.

In collaboration with Ruru Kids, children were encouraged to discover Jakarta's history and culture through a fun, imaginative, and relatable approach.

"We hope activities like this spark children’s curiosity about archives and instill early awareness of the importance of preserving the city's collective memory," she expressed.