JAKARTA – The Jakarta government hosts the Jakarta Biennale 2026 at Taman Ismail Marzuki from October 4 to November 24. The cultural festival features contemporary art exhibitions and art discussions. For example, organizers scheduled a special talk about the legendary composer Ismail Marzuki on Saturday, October 24. The panel includes Italian researcher Paola Pietronave, music activist David Tarigan, and Betawi cultural expert Chairil Gibran Ramadhan, commonly known as CGR. The event focuses heavily on Pietronave’s new documentary film, Marzuki’s Violin.
A Deep Connection to Ismail Marzuki
However, the event organizers clearly missed crucial background information about CGR. He studies Ismail Marzuki deeply. Furthermore, Rachmi Aziah, the daughter of Ismail Marzuki, gave CGR exclusive written legal rights. She appointed him as the official script consultant for any Ismail Marzuki biography film. Additionally, she trusted him in 2017 to fight for the Ismail Marzuki Museum. Former Governor Sutiyoso originally promised this museum back in 1997. Therefore, the organizers’ heavy focus on the foreign researcher disappointed CGR, but it did not surprise him. He noted that Indonesian people often admire foreigners too much. He explained that locals frequently treat white foreigners like special beings and pay them much higher fees.
Years of Struggle and Rejection
CGR spent his own money and time researching Ismail Marzuki from 2011 to 2017. Later, he finished a complete movie script in 2018. Senior film director Enison Sinaro and writer Laora Arkeman helped him review the draft. Subsequently, a publisher printed the eighth draft of this script as a book in 2020. Before that, CGR asked the Jakarta Cultural Office for documentary funding in 2019.
Unfortunately, the office rejected his proposal over minor formal rules. CGR kept trying and approached Iwan Piliang from PPFN in 2025. Yet, he still needed to find private investors. Therefore, He launched the Mei Bulan Ismail Marzuki (May is Ismail Marzuki Month) campaign on May 12, 2026, to grab the Ministry of Culture’s attention. MURI founder Jaya Suprana and Ministry expert Neno Warisman fully supported this campaign.
Choosing Dignity Over Fame
Ultimately, the Jakarta Biennale 2026 ignored CGR’s massive contributions. The Jakarta Cultural Office and JAKPRO heavily support this event, but they failed to honor local dedication. Ironically, the festival reduced the true expert to a mere backup speaker. Furthermore, the committee offered CGR a very small payment that barely covered his travel costs.
Because of this disrespect, the dedicated Betawi historian canceled his appearance at the event. CGR refuses to accept bad treatment just to get his name in a big festival. He values his hard work and dignity far more than empty fame.
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