INDONESIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

63rd INDONESIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

(17 august 2008)

Indonesian Independence Day is soon to be upon us. On the 17th August office buildings are draped in red and white bunting, Shopping malls decorated in red and white and hold Independence Day sales and locals display large red and white flags outside their houses Banjars (local councils) also organize a clean up of the area or kerja bakti. Drains are swept, weeds are cut back, debris is burned and public areas are repainted.

Special activities for the neighborhood children are organized and requests are made for donations from homeowners to sponsor games and prizes for the children. Schools also hold contests to see which class can decorate their room in the most patriotic manner as well as holding games and races amongst classes. Locals are requested by the Banjar to fly the Indonesian flag for a set period of time before and after the big day.

But the most solemn ceremony of the day is the flag hoisting at the National Palace, televised live. Full of pomp and circumstance and conducted basically the same way each year, it is a spectacle of the greatest respect and honor for the flag and for the Republic.

Meanwhile local neighborhoods gear up for fun and games for the kids. Krupuk (shrimp chips) eating contests, games, races and lots of fun fill the day. The women are busy in cooking contests to see who can make the biggest krupuk or the most delicious nasi tumpeng (rice cone).As a visitor to Bali you are always welcome to join in the neighborhood activities and spend time getting to know the friendly locals!