Celebrate Prague’s Indonesian community through culture and cuisine

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Prague is hosting a special Indonesian Week through Oct. 7, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Jakarta’s Betawi people through a variety of events. Organized in collaboration with the Jakarta provincial government, the week-long program aims to introduce Prague residents to the unique cuisine, dance, and crafts of the Indonesian capital.

Highlights include an Indonesian street market with food, crafts, and live performances in Dejvice on Oct. 5, a masterclass in traditional Betawi dance at the Indonesian Embassy on Oct. 7, and a special Indonesian menu at SIA Restaurant through Oct. 12.

The special Betawi Menu Week from Oct. 5 to 12 at Prague’s SIA Restaurant will serve several authentic dishes curated by Marinka, including nasi uduk (fragrant coconut rice), soto Betawi (creamy beef soup), and the popular pletok beer, a traditional non-alcoholic Betawi herbal drink made from ginger and aromatic spices.

One of the main attractions is the Indonesian Street Market, which will take place on Oct. 5 at the Kulatak Street Market (Trhy na Kulaťáku) in Prague 6. It will feature a variety of Indonesian street food, crafts, and fashion accessories, as well as live performances of traditional Betawi dance and gambang kromong music—a unique mix of local melodies with Chinese musical influences.

Indonesian Week will conclude on Oct. 7 with a Betawi Dance Masterclass at the Indonesian Embassy in Prague. Led by professional dancers from Jakarta, the workshop will introduce participants to the energetic movements of Betawi dance, which is characterized by dynamic footwork and expressive gestures. It’s a unique opportunity for dance enthusiasts to experience this lively art form firsthand.

A thriving Indonesian community in Czechia

The Indonesian community in Czechia is made up of more than 600 residents, primarily concentrated in Prague, Brno, and Plzeň. It includes a mix of long-term residents, migrant workers, and vocational students participating in the Czech Republic’s special “Project Indonesia” initiative, which supports Czech industries such as transportation.

The history of this community dates back to the 1960s when Indonesia’s first President, Soekarno, sent students to study in Eastern and Central Europe, including Czechoslovakia. Many of those students remained, and their descendants continue to foster strong ties with both their home country and their local Czech communities.

In addition to economic cooperation, cultural exchanges have long been a key component of the relationship between the two nations. Indonesia offers scholarships such as the Darmasiswa and Indonesia Art and Culture programs, which have brought hundreds of Czech students and researchers to Indonesia.

With the recent inauguration of an Honorary Consul in Brno, the community continues to grow and contribute to the strengthening of Indonesian-Czech ties through educational and cultural initiatives. More information about Indonesian Week can be found from the Indonesian Embassy in Prague.