Happy Independence Day, Indonesia

Happy Independence Day, Indonesia

Happy 74th anniversary, Indonesia

So, this is the day.

Today, 17th of August 2019, Indonesia is celebrating her 74th anniversary. 

It might look young in terms of independence but we certainly are blessed with so many incredible things after the Independence Day.

This is our second year in Indonesia and we have a blast in celebrating the Independence Day. As you have probably remember from my post last year, we had the ceremony at the office, the flag hoisting ceremony, which were held early in the morning led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia herself, H.E. Mrs. Retno Marsudi.

The Minister leading the ceremony

This year, we have the similar commemoration. But of course with different theme and different decorations. For sure I am wearing a different costume as well LOL.

Vienna, my junior, and I wearing Lampungnese Tapis

Last year, I wear the Lampungnese dress with white kebaya, Lampungnese Tapis, and a full set of Lampungnese Siger from Pepadun tribe. It was fun indeed, but as you can probably imagine, wearing traditional costumes is not always that practical at all LOL.

Read : The 73rd Anniversary of Indonesia's Independence

This year, I decided to wear the red kebaya adorned with Lampungnese Tapis as well, paired with red-green-and-gold Tapis and slightly smaller Siger or the head dress. It proves to be more wearable for me for the whole morning. Not as heavy as the previous Siger I wore last year. And for sure it looks beautiful as well.

Wearing red this year..my Mas Riaz, my senior

So I came to the office at 6:30 AM, which is quite early,  In order to ensure that I don’t miss the ceremony. When I arrived, the field that we use for the ceremony was already packed with people wearing colorful traditional Indonesian costumes. It is very heartwarming to see the beauty of diversity that my country is embracing, and that’s only from the costume alone. I see those wearing costumes from various parts in Java, Sumatera, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and also Papua.

 We have the usual flag raising ceremony proceedings, starting with welcoming the inspector of the ceremony, which is my minister, followed by reading out Pancasila (our 5-principles state philosophy), the preamble of our constitution, the flag hoisting process, and the presentations of various token of appreciation for those who have been working for 10 ,15, 20 or more years in my institution. Finally, the ceremony was closed by praying together and then singing some national songs.

But obviously that’s not all. We had fun photo sessions with the Minister and all the high rank officials from a ministry at the field and in front of Gedung Pancasila, One of the historical an iconic buildings in Jakarta where Pancasila our states philosophy , was inaugurated.

some members of the big family of Multilateral Affairs

ASEAN Way..

Colorful Indonesia!

the colleagues from my batch, Sekdilu 28!

Snacks and food are available as well and we definitely enjoyed them. After that I’m heading back home and rest for a while before joining my neighbors who are conducting some traditional games, like makan kerupuk, balap karung and panjat pinang, to celebrate Independence Day. 

Get more stories from my YouTube channel as well about this ceremony.

So that’s my story on the independence day.

What’s your story?

Happy Independence Day, Indonesia