Public Enthusiasm Livens up Commemoration Ceremony of 81st Anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence at Presidential Palace
The presence of people from various regions at the Commemoration Ceremony of the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, on Monday (08/17), brought unique stories and memorable experiences. Beyond witnessing the solemn ceremony firsthand, the guests also enjoyed a variety of cultural and arts performances and public feasts and brought home souvenir packages that served as special mementos from the Palace.
Muhammad Arham Syarif, a Pekalongan native currently residing in Jakarta, expressed his gratitude for being able to attend the commemoration ceremony at the Palace after passing a rigorous registration process. He admitted to having to face minor technical difficulties on the first day of registration before successfully securing an invitation on his next attempt.
“It was an extraordinary experience; I am very happy and deeply grateful as I have wished to visit the Palace and attend the ceremony for a very long time, namely since 2013 when representatives of Pekalongan city performed the Jelangkrang Dance at the Merdeka Palace,” said Arham, who wore traditional Betawi attire for the occasion.
According to Arham, one of the most memorable moments was the diverse array of cultural and artistic performances staged throughout the event program. He also showed the souvenirs he received as tokens of appreciation for attending the ceremony at the Palace.
“All right, everyone, if you visit the Palace, you will get souvenirs. First, there is a hat. We also get a book from the President, then a t-shirt, and many other items packed in one bag. It was definitely worth the efforts to visit the Palace, and I am so happy to be here today for the ceremony,” he added.
Qaisra Gemma shared a similar positive sentiment, expressing her enjoyment in the entire series of the event programs, ranging from the formal ceremony to the public feasts featuring micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“In my opinion, this entire event is truly memorable, especially because it supported local MSMEs,” Qaisra stated.
Alongside the festive atmosphere, the souvenir packages presented to guests were one of the major draws in the event. Arham displayed several items of the souvenirs he received, including a hat, a t-shirt, and a book from the President, and various other mementos.
“The souvenir package contains so many items; first there is a hand fan, then a hat, a t-shirt, a book, and many more,” Qaisra added.
Sephia and Reni, two attendees who met for the first time during the ceremony, shared similar feelings. Both expressed their delight with the abundance of souvenirs and refreshments provided at the Palace.
“I am so happy, Sis. I received so many items, and everything I got is very practical for daily use,” said Sephia.
Reni also revealed that taking home a collection of souvenirs from the Palace created an unforgettable memory.
“It feels like homecoming trip because of how much we are carrying,” Reni said with a smile.
These shared stories and impressions from the guests demonstrate that the commemoration ceremony of the 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence at the Palace was not only a meaningful national celebration, but also an opportunity to build togetherness that brought people from diverse backgrounds together in a spirit of unity, mutual cooperation (gotong royong), and nationalism. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (NST/TM)
