INDONESIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

The pinnacle celebration commemorating Independence Day is held on the morning of the 17th August at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, facing the National Monument.

The highlight will be the moment when the Declaration of Independence is read out, that was first proclaimed by Soekarno-Hatta at precisely 10am. This is followed by the flag ceremony carried by the Paskibraka, a special flag bearing and flag raising group, recruited from among the brightest eligible students in high school throughout the country. They spent months in training and quarantine, to be able to perform flawlessly during the official ceremony in front of the President and honored guests. A similar ceremony is held at sunset to lower the Indonesian red-and-white flag.

 In the regions, similar ceremonies are held, In addition, rock climbing communities make it a challenge to raise the Indonesian flag on the highest peaks of the numerous Indonesian volcanoes and mountains, while diving communities will dive deep underwater into pitch the huge red-and white-flags in the Indonesian seas.

Meanwhile, each community in cities and villages will creatively form a committee to design competitions according to their demographics, and take in the list of participant a few days earlier. The races vary from a seemingly simple, yet technical task of putting a pencil to a bottle, to a grueling balance match on a log. Everyone is in full spirit for a chance of winning many kinds of prizes. From simple school supplies to the big screen LCD TV, some areas even have a motorcycle for the grand prize. Nevertheless, a few races remain mandatory in highlighting this anticipated annual red and white festivities, such as eating kerupuk, tug of war, etc.

Written by : Michella Eleanor