People celebrate Independence Day in different ways

JAKARTA (JP): Some glittered in their best outfits, others looked a bit muddy, while many wore uniforms. Such were the moods reflected in the appearances of Indonesian's as they celebrated their country's 50th anniversary.

At the presidential palace, guests wore their finest garb to attend the flag hoisting ceremony on the morning of Aug. 17 and the state dinner on the evening of the same day.

Thousands of others woke up early and put on their uniforms despite it being a national holiday and attended the ceremonies at their offices or schools. A number of community groups chose to celebrate the happy day on Jl. Proklamasi, Central Jakarta, at the very site where the nation's independence was announced 50 years ago. The celebrations on Jl. Proklamasi started at midnight on Wednesday and continued on into the morning.

In the various neighborhoods scattered throughout the capital, a large variety of games and competitions were held from morning to late in the afternoon. Best dressed boys and girls, tug-of-war battles, gunny sack races and panjat pinang (greased pole) climbing were among the popular annual contests. The latter meant the participants had to go home all greasy and muddy. The best part of this last game -- aside from the quite attractive prizes -- was the fun it generated among the spectators.

Some youths preferred an eco-independence celebration by holding a flag-hoisting ceremony in Mount Gede, Bogor, West Java.

And there certainly was no lack of entertainment programs held both before and after the peak of the celebrations on Aug. 17. On Aug. 15, for example, hundreds of people gathered at the Chairil Anwar Plaza at Monumen Nasional (Monas) Park to attend a poetry reading by noted poets, government officials and ministers.

Other events that attracted thousands of spectators were the concerts with "independence" themes. Such events as Pesta Rakyat (People's Party) or Kenduri Nasional (National Gala) also drew many spectators together to share their joy along with others. And the millions who lived to far away to participate had the chance to enjoy the festivities through television broadcasts.

And it seems that the various activities and events held have caused the Indonesian people to be able to forget whatever differences they might have had at one time or another in order to strengthen the unity this nation thrives on. (07/lem)