TIMELESS Jakarta is the latest publication in the TIMELESS Series by Phoenix Communications; an annual magazine focusing on the history, culture and heritage of the city.
The publication series started in 2021 with TIMELESS Bali, which now has four beautiful volumes. This was followed up with two volumes of TIMELESS Yogyakarta, in partnership with the Keraton of Yogyakarta.
The name TIMELESS refers to two things: aspects covered in every story are things that are enduring and everlasting elements of each destination; and every story remains relevant whether you read them now, of if you read them many years ahead.
One might not perceive Jakarta as a cultural destination, compared to Bali or Yogya, but this city is rich with stories. Almost half a millennium old, Jakarta has been shaped by its complex history: the very Betawi culture, the city’s ethnic quarters, even the very structure of the Jakarta we live in today, all defined by the city’s tumultuous past.
As such, TIMELESS Jakarta aims to provide a deeper context to the city, so that we can better appreciate our very surroundings and the everyday experiences that make up the fabric of the city.
In this first volume you will find stories on the city’s origins (The Birth of Jakarta), anecdotes on the city’s street names, the the development of the different areas and their associated ethnic communities, iconic landmarks and Betawi cuisine. TIMELESS Jakarta is not about focusing on the past, it is about having knowledge of the past to better appreciate the present, and indeed plan a better future.
Why this format? Why not make a book?
Our ‘luxury cultural magazine’ approach is to make reading approachable and digestible. Rather than creating a book that must be read back to front, TIMELESS Jakarta is a compendium of many different stories, inviting the reader to pick up and read one or many different pieces.
It is made in a size great for gifting or buying as a personal memento, whilst still being a beautiful addition to any coffee table. Most importantly, it is made to be read and enjoyed: the stories are the real treasure, stories that we hope can open people’s eyes and hearts to the soul of this city, both visitors or residents.
Timeless Jakarta is on sale for IDR 150,000 per copy, and you can order via the form below. If you’re interested in ordering in bulk, please contact us directly: nowjakarta@phoenix.co.id.
Interested in other publications like Timeless Jakarta? Read about Timeless Yogyakarta here or Timeless Bali here.
