People celebrate Independence Day in different ways

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)