Jakarta, January 23, 2026 – The long journey of the Chinese community in Indonesia has never been a straight and quiet path. The journey has been shaped by time, courage, and a quiet resilience forged through countless struggles. 
Since their earliest arrival, the Chinese community journeyed across the seas to Nusantara with a simple shared aspiration: to build a better life. In this new homeland, they established roots while preserving ancestral traditions, including customs, settlement patterns, literature, language, beliefs, culinary heritage, and arts. 

The presence of this community has added a distinctive layer to the mosaic of Nusantara’s diversity. They did not merely settle, but brought along the traditions that over time, encountered and blended with local cultures. This interaction gave rise to new expressions in cuisine, art, language, and ways of life, enriching Indonesia’s cultural landscape and leaving a legacy that continues to be felt today. 
Recorded history also holds stories marked by significant challenges. The Chinese community in Indonesia has often faced various limitations, where identity was questioned, language and cultural expressions were restricted, and daily life unfolded with careful restraint to remain safe and accepted. Despite these challenges, the community has continued to grow and thrive, making meaningful contributions through generations of prominent figures across diverse fields. 
Until now, this journey is still being fought for. The experiences have taught how to reconcile with the past, celebrating identity without fear, and positioning history as a shared space for reflection. Ultimately, the story goes beyond the Chinese community, reflecting Indonesia as a whole. About how a nation continues learning to accept, acknowledge, and grow together in diversity, in harmony with the spirit of “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (Unity in Diversity). 
Inspired by this journey, the Chinese Indonesian Cultural Gallery (GBTI) was established at Pantjoran PIK. The gallery celebrates the stories of the Chinese community in Nusantara and serves as a cultural space showcasing collective memory and a heritage that remains alive and preserved. 
Natalia Kusumo, CEO of Agung Sedayu Group, stated: “The Chinese Indonesian Cultural Gallery is a living space that invites visitors to experience history, understand traditions, and see how cultural acculturation has shaped our national identity. We hope this gallery can serve as an educational platform, a space for community growth, and a source of creative inspiration for all visitors.” 
With a contextual curatorial approach, GBTI invites visitors to understand culture as a living experience, shaped through interactions across generations and communities. The gallery also functions as a community space that fosters dialogue on identity and diversity, while serving as an educational and creative platform through various programs, workshops, and interactive activities for visitors of all ages. 
At GBTI, visitors can explore three main zones: the Arrival Room, the Testimony Room, and the Fellowship Room. Each offers a unique perspective on the journey of identity, community, and togetherness. The narratives presented weave together the everyday stories of traders, artisans, homemakers, entrepreneurs, and public figures, illustrating how their contributions have helped shape Indonesia’s diverse society. 

After exploring the three main zones, visitors arrive at the Temporary Exhibition Area. This area hosts rotating exhibitions every six months, featuring in-depth topics approached collaboratively and from contemporary perspectives. Each exhibition involves partnerships between communities, collaborators, and creative individuals. 
The inaugural exhibition is titled “≠ / Not Equal To,” a concept inspired by the diversity of identities that remain open to new ideas. The exhibition features works by both renowned and contemporary artists, including Edita Atmaja, FX. Harsono, Meliantha Muliawan, and Yaya Sung. 
Through exhibitions, performances, and public discussions, visitors are invited to engage with history in an interactive and compelling way, explore the stories of the Chinese community in Nusantara, and experience firsthand how their traditions, culture, and daily life have shaped the rich diversity of Indonesia. 
The presence of GBTI at Pantjoran PIK aligns with the PIK Berbudaya campaign, launched in 2025. PIK Berbudaya is an initiative aimed at reintroducing the diversity of Nusantara through a blend of history, performing arts, culinary experiences, and contemporary creativity offered as a cohesive cultural journey across various destinations in Pantai Indah Kapuk, including Pantjoran PIK. 
Therefore, GBTI is expected to further enrich the visitor experience, positioning Pantjoran PIK not only as a culinary destination but also as an educational destination where visitors can immerse themselves in the journey, values, and cultural heritage of the Chinese community in Indonesia within a space that is engaging, relevant, and alive.