Celebrate Indonesia’s Independence Day

Indonesia will celebrate its 72nd Independence Day on August 17, when the national colors red and white will be splashed across the country. In addition lots of flag-waving, parades and family gatherings, here’s a look at five events happening this weekend.

Here are some activities you can do with young children.

Join flag ceremonies to raise the red and white banner. The official flag raising ceremony takes place at the State Palace, where hundreds gather on bleachers to watch musical performances from various provinces. The event is also broadcast live on local television channels. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will lead the ceremony for the last time this year before leaving office in October after reaching his two-term limit. Fighter jets from the Indonesian Air Force will zoom through the sky over the palace before the flag reaches full mast.

After the flag raising, join a little friendly neighbourhood competition. The challenges include sack races and a kerupuk or cracker eating contest, where participants race to eat a giant cracker hanging from a string with their hands tied behind their back.

There are many simple ways to show pride in Indonesia, to raise children’s awareness of helping others you could join a rubbish collection campaign or buying local products perhaps even wear a traditional batik patterned shirt. In many neighborhoods, people will perform communal work known as gotong-royong, which often involves gathering to clean up their neighborhood together. While such activities are popular during independence day, however, they would be best to practice for the whole year.

By taking part in any of these activities as a family we can help teach the next generation about our pride in being Indonesian.

Happy Independence Day!