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RELAXED INDEPENDENCE ATMOSPHERE

Indonesia celebrated its 59th Independence Day peacefully on Tuesday, despite minor disturbances in the troubled provinces of Aceh and Papua. Throughout the country, the day was marked by solemn, flag-raising ceremonies and festivities that continued until late evening. Neighborhoods and local authorities held a variety of community contests for residents and set up stages for public performances on streets and empty plots of land.

Captions for a photo display

Photo A

JP/P.J. Leo

Divers from Sea World Indonesia form the word "Merdeka" (independent) inside a giant aquarium as one of many public contests to mark the country's Independence Day in Jakarta. Contest participants were given only three minutes to finish forming the word "Merdeka" on Tuesday.

Photo B

JP/P.J. Leo

Some 1,500 street children from Kartini emergency schools hold a flag-raising ceremony at Jembatan Tiga, North Jakarta. The event was led by their twin teachers, Ibu Rian and Ibu Rosi.

Photo C and D

JP/Agus Maryono and ID Nugroho

Mothers participate in an Independence Day contest in Bojongsari subdistrict, Kembaran district, Banyumas regency, Central Java, by trying to put eels into bottles (photo above), while students in Surabaya, East Java, prepare a giant flag to be flown on the tower of their Petra university campus (left).

Photo E

JP/P.J. Leo

A boy gains a foothold on the back of his friend's shorts in an attempt to climb a slippery areca nut tree during a contest to celebrate Independence Day at Jembatan Tiga, Pluit, North Jakarta.

Photo F and G

JP/Mulkan Salmona and Murdani Usman

With both hands tied behind his back, a child, balancing on one leg, tries to take Rp 1,000 and Rp 10,000 notes with his mouth from a flour-filled tray (photo right), while foreign tourists in Bali participate in a contest to climb a slippery areca nut tree.