Merdeka Night Features Thousands of Creative Talents, from Video Mapping to Drone Show
The government is presenting a series of artistic, cultural and technological performances to mark the 81st Anniversary of Indonesian Independence on 17 August 2026. The event, titled Malam Merdeka, is being held from the National Monument area to the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout in Jakarta, involving thousands of creative economy workers.
Minister of Creative Economy and Head of the Creative Economy Agency Teuku Riefky Harsya said the series of events fulfils a mandate from President Prabowo Subianto to present an independence celebration that strengthens social togetherness.
“This year’s independence commemoration serves as a space to remember the nation’s journey, strengthen togetherness, and convey the message that Indonesia is one,” Riefky said during the Malam Merdeka press conference on Monday.
On the same occasion, Riefky also expressed deep sorrow over the earthquake disaster that struck several regions, including East Nusa Tenggara and North Sumatra. He said the government is praying for the residents affected by the disaster.
According to Riefky, this year’s independence celebration still takes into account the national condition, including the calamities that have occurred in several regions. For this reason, the series of events has been designed not merely as entertainment, but also as a space to strengthen unity, solidarity and mutual cooperation.
The Ministry of Creative Economy is collaborating with the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the Ministry of Tourism, Danantara and the Jakarta Provincial Government in organising the series of activities.
For Malam Merdeka, the Ministry of Creative Economy is coordinating four main agendas: an immersive installation, video mapping at Monas, a decorated vehicle carnival and a drone show. “We have designed this entire series to invite the public to commemorate independence by embracing a spirit of togetherness without barriers, cross-institutional synergy for one shared day that has an impact on the people’s economy,” Riefky said.
He said the four activities combine creativity and technology while involving thousands of talents from various creative economy subsectors. They come from the design, fashion, culinary, music, performing arts, digital content and new technology subsectors.
The series of events is also designed to narrate Indonesia’s journey across time while inviting the public to see the relationship between themselves and the nation.
One of the activities presented is an immersive installation with an interactive experience concept. Technology is used so that visitors are not just spectators, but also become part of the story being told.
The installation includes interactive video, an image generator, a time corridor, a wishing wall, Garuda totems and LED strips. The installation has been in place for several days and can be enjoyed by the public throughout Monday.
According to Riefky, the immersive installation raises three main themes: “Me and Indonesia”, “My Hope for Indonesia” and “Proud to be Indonesian”.
The installation is spread across six points: three locations around the Monas area and three locations around the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout. The locations in the HI area are in front of Plaza Indonesia, Hotel Kempinski and Hotel Pullman.
“What we want to present is not merely a technological installation, but we also want the public to see their relationship with Indonesia, their hopes for Indonesia’s future and their pride in being part of this nation,” Riefky said.