When Japan occupied Indonesia, it was used by the Japanese government as a military headquarters. Its name was changed to Kiritzu Gekitzyoo. After Indonesia gained independence, it was used by University of Indonesia in the 1950s to hold evening lectures. Between 1968 and 1984, it became a cinema called Bioskop Dana, then City Theatre. In 1984, Jakarta Governor issued Decree 24/1984 to restore its original function as a performance art center. It was named Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (GKJ).
Since then, many performances from inside and outside the country have been performed in this building. You can see the schedule by visiting the building or dkj.or.id. Feel the sensation of watching an art performance in a 191-year-old building.
Central Post Station
Not far from GKJ, at 2 Pos St. stands an old building which during the Dutch colonial period was known as the Telegraph and Telephone Post building or PTT Pasar Baru. At a glance, the façade of this building is similar to Kota Station. The designer was an architect named JF Hoytema. He took inspiration from an art deco style, including in the interior. Since its inauguration in 1913, this building has been used for postal activities, such as sending letters and telegrams. Although its function has not changed, the building has changed its name several times, from Pasar Baru Telegraph Post and Telephone to Pasar Baru Post and Telegraph Office, Pasar Baru Wire Post Office. Since 1963, its name became Gedung Pos Ibukota (GPI), also known as Greater Jakarta Post Office. Now it is mostly used for philately, although it still carries out postal activities.
If you visit Pasar Baru, stop by the building. It is a nostalgic place to reminisce a golden era when communication, from love letters to job applications, was still conducted via post. Or you can pick and choose postcards and send them to your friends or family. It is a good opportunity to take a break from instant modern communication and go back to the good old day when snail mail was still the norm.