The administration will allocate Rp291 billion to the development of the culture village.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Jakarta administration has set itself a target of completing the Setu Babakan Betawi Culture Village project in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, by 2015.

"The Betawi Culture Village project began in 2008 and the construction work is ongoing. We have reviewed the progress and hope the village will be ready by 2015," Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said during a visit to Setu Babakan here on Wednesday.

The governor instructed DKI Jakarta's Tourism and Culture Office head, Arie Budiman, to continue developing the village.

"We hope the budget will be approved soon by the board and the construction work can continue," Jokowi stated.

The culture village will feature some Betawi traditional buildings and houses. "Moreover, there will be exhibitions of Betawi traditional arts every day. And everything here will represent the identity and characteristics of Betawi culture," he noted.

The administration will allocate Rp291 billion to the development of the culture village.

The village, situated in Srengseng Sawah, Jagakarsa, has been established in an effort to preserve the Betawi cultural heritage.

Despite rapid modernisation in the nation's capital, Betawi culture - including traditional music such as Qasidah, Marawis, Keroncong, Lenong and Gambang Kromong, and traditional dance forms such as Ondel-ondel (large puppet) and Topeng - is expected to be preserved in the culture village.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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