Indonesia marked its 79th anniversary of independence on August 17, 2024, with celebrations taking place simultaneously in the new capital city of Nusantara and the current capital, Jakarta. This historic event highlighted the country’s progress and future aspirations.
In Nusantara, President Joko Widodo led the flag-raising ceremony at the newly constructed Presidential Palace, attended by President-elect Prabowo Subianto and around 1,300 guests. The ceremony featured a prayer and military parade, symbolizing Indonesia’s ongoing development.
Concurrently in Jakarta, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin and Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka presided over a ceremony at the Merdeka Palace. The celebration in the capital city included artistic performances showcasing Indonesia’s rich cultural diversity, with singer Vidi Aldiano and the Gita Bahana Nusantara choir and orchestra entertaining the crowd.
Penurunan Bendera Sang Merah Putih di Istana Negara IKN dan Istana Merdeka Jakarta menutup rangkaian Peringatan Hari Kemerdekaan ke-79 RI. Upacara berlangsung lancar di kedua lokasi, dan saya yakin semangat kemerdekaan terasa di seluruh pelosok negeri. Merdeka!
— Joko Widodo (@jokowi) August 17, 2024
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Foto: Muchlis… pic.twitter.com/aDRWTYLLoh
The festivities in both locations reflected Indonesia’s heritage, with the president and first lady wearing the traditional kustin costume of the Kutai indigenous community from East Kalimantan. The ceremony in Nusantara also incorporated dances from Kalimantan and Sulawesi, presenting a modern interpretation of the archipelagic culture.
The Independence Day celebrations extended beyond Indonesia’s borders, with the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, D.C. hosting a commemoration event at Wisma Indonesia – Tilden, DC, which included a flag ceremony and friendly competitions for the Indonesian diaspora and friends of Indonesia.
Photo credit: Indonesian Embassy in Washington, D.C. – USA
This year’s celebrations were particularly significant as they coincided with the ongoing transition of Indonesia’s capital from Jakarta to Nusantara. While the new capital project aims to address the challenges faced by Jakarta, it has also faced delays and criticism from environmentalists concerned about its impact on Borneo’s rainforests.
As Indonesia moves forward, these Independence Day festivities have showcased the country’s commitment to blending tradition with modernity and unity with diversity, as it continues to chart a path towards a prosperous and sustainable future.
