Chronicling Jakarta Fair, From Gambir Market to Kemayoran

TRIBUNTERNATE.COM, TERNATE - The Jakarta Fair Kemayoran Exhibition was held for the 55th time in 2024.

The annual event, which has been held for nearly three generations since 1968, has successfully transformed its image from a small people's event to the largest and most comprehensive exhibition in Southeast Asia.

Formerly known as the Djakarta Fair, it is awaited every year by Jakarta's residents.

Former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin, who served the city from 1966 to 1977, at that time inaugurated the Djakarta Fair at the Gambir Market that showcased industrial products.

The Gambir Market has existed since 1906.

During the period from mid-August to mid-September of 1906, it was a place to exhibit various products, as part of the events to celebrate the birthday of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands.

The opening and closing of Gambir Market were always enlivened by fireworks parties.

Over time, the popularity of Gambir Market dimmed, until Governor Sadikin came up with an idea to re-hold the city's major annual event though this time to mark Jakarta's birthday.

With the initiative, the Djakarta Fair was held for the first time from June 5 to July 20, 1968, in the National Monument (Monas) area.

The head of state at that time, President Soeharto, inaugurated the Djakarta Fair by releasing pigeons. Although it was held for the first time, it was considered successful, as it was able to attract 1.4 million visitors.

One of the residents of Kebon Sirih, Jakarta, Henni, now 62, recounted that she often visited the Djakarta Fair since she was a child.

At that time, her house was still located in the Monas area, close to Taman Ria, Jakarta's nightlife center in the past, as it offered fun rides, such as carousels, Ferris wheel, roller coasters, and the Wheel of Death, or locally called as the "tong setan."

Henni, who was still in elementary school at the time, opened up to ANTARA about her memories of going to the Djakarta Fair with her mother and sister.

The sparkling night lights and the myriad food and beverage outlets have indeed been the fair's mainstay for a long time.

In addition to the F&B outlets, there were merchants of household products and also exhibition booths from several friendly countries' embassies that displayed their art and culture, unique cuisines, and souvenirs.