Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta is marking its 64th anniversary with Ādi-Kartā, a month-long programme that looks back at the enduring vision of Indonesia’s first President, Sukarno, while inviting guests to experience the hotel’s cultural legacy through art, gastronomy, and family activities. Held throughout August 2026, the celebration reflects the role the historic property has played since opening in 1962 – not only as one of the country’s landmark hotels, but also as a place where Indonesian identity has long been expressed through architecture, culture, and hospitality.
The name Ādi-Kartā, derived from Sanskrit word meaning first or prime architect, acknowledges Sukarno’s influence beyond politics. As the driving force behind Hotel Indonesia’s artistic and architectural direction, he envisioned the property as the nation’s “living room” – a place where Indonesia could present itself to the world through culture, design, and hospitality. That vision remains at the centre of this anniversary programme.
One of the celebration’s highlights is The Founders: A Legacy Beyond Time, an exhibition created in partnership with Neo Gallery and curated by Hendra Himawan. Displayed throughout the hotel lobby, the exhibition brings together works by some of Indonesia’s most influential artists, including S. Sudjojono, Affandi, Basoeki Abdullah, Hendra Gunawan, Lee Man Fong, Dullah, Wakidi, and R.M. Pirngadie. Together, the collection reflects the formative years of Indonesian modern art and the artists who helped shape the country’s visual identity. At Nirwana Lounge, the conversation extends into the present through works by contemporary artists M. Ghoni and Haidar Ammar, creating a dialogue between Indonesia’s artistic past and future.
Adding to the exhibition is the rare display of the 1964 Lee Man Fong compilation, documenting President Sukarno’s private art collection. On loan from collector Troy Fridatama, the volume is exhibited across the hotel lobby and Executive Lounge, offering visitors a rare glimpse into one of the country’s most significant private collections of Indonesian art.
The Ādi-Kartā Hotel Indonesia anniversary celebration also reaches beyond the gallery through a series of experiences designed to connect different generations. In collaboration with Produksi Film Negara (PFN) and Museum Gubug Wayang Mojokerto, Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta brings back the beloved cultural icon Si Unyil. Rather than relying solely on nostalgia, the programme introduces the character through weekend meet-and-greet sessions at Signatures Restaurant, a limited-edition pastry at Kempi Deli, commemorative Flazz cards, and a children’s heritage passport featuring a 64-stop treasure hunt that encourages families to explore Indonesian history, culture, and culinary traditions together.
Food also forms part of the celebration. Throughout August, guests can enjoy a culinary journey inspired by President Sukarno’s favourite dishes, extending the anniversary theme from the exhibition spaces to the dining table. Together with the hotel’s commemorative collectibles – including 100 limited-edition Petualangan Si Unyil Flazz cards and 64 collectible bottles of five-year-old Iwak Arumery Origine – the programme reinforces the hotel’s long-standing relationship with Indonesian heritage.
More than six decades after opening its doors, Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta continues to celebrate the values that shaped its beginnings. Through Ādi-Kartā, the anniversary becomes more than a milestone; it is a reminder that art, culture, hospitality, and shared memory remain inseparable parts of the hotel’s identity and its place within Jakarta’s history.
For more information, visit kempinski.com.
