More than 250 people from the Jakarta area gather weekly at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium for traditional games organised by Komunitas Bermain (Playing Community). The group, founded by Taylor Swift fan Akihiko Akira in August 2024, started as a meetup for fellow fans and has grown rapidly through social media.
Participants play childhood games such as jumping rope, marble flicking (gundu), and one-legged jumping over shoes (suit monopoli). Akira said the activities provide nostalgia and stress relief, offering a short escape from daily pressures.
Biya Angelina, a 25-year-old social media specialist, joined to meet new friends after working online all day. She appreciates that the events are free and help her build social connections with people from diverse backgrounds.
Another group, Nyanyi Bareng Jakarta (Jakarta Singing Together), offers amateur singers a chance to perform popular songs like Phil Collins' “You’ll Be In My Heart” in a rented hall. Guided by five vocal coaches, participants use the motto “finding friends, finding voice” and promote a no-judgement zone.
Titas Winola, a food and beverage worker, said she feels comfortable singing without fear of making mistakes. Despite a fee of 150,000 rupiah ($9), weekly spots sell out. Co-founder Meda Kawu aims to create a safe space where people can sing as bravely as they do in the bathroom.
Muhamad Sulhan, a media sociology lecturer at Gadjah Mada University, said such activities help people connect with strangers, explore themselves, and take a break from work and city life. He noted that participants see each other as sharing a longing for an avatar of themselves manifested in shared passion.
