Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad Kicks Off 79th Independence Day Celebrations with Enthusiastic Pre-Event
Islamabad: Over three hundred Indonesian nationals, along with their families, gathered this morning at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Islamabad. Despite the rain, they enthusiastically participated in a pre-event to celebrate the 79th anniversary of Indonesian Independence Day, which will be marked on August 17, 2024.
“Thank you to all Indonesian nationals from Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad, and Abbottabad for joining us today,” said Mr. Ferry J. Murdiansyah, Chief of the Indonesian Embassy’s Committee for Independence Day 2024, in his welcoming remarks. He also expressed his gratitude to all the coordinators who have supported the Embassy in its mission to protect its nationals in Pakistan.
The pre-event was filled with festivity and joy. A highlight of the Independence Day celebrations is the tradition of sports events and fun games, which are held both nationwide and globally, supported by Indonesian missions abroad. In Islamabad, the pre-event began with a fun walk at the Diplomatic Enclave, with all participants wearing T-shirts in the national colors of red and white, symbolizing the spirit of the Indonesian flag. The fun activities, which were inclusive of all ages, created a lively atmosphere.
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The 3-kilometer fun walk concluded at the Embassy, where participants were welcomed with refreshments and surprise gifts. Following this, various games known as ‘Lomba 17an’ in Indonesian commenced, featuring competitive events such as badminton, table tennis, volleyball, and futsal.
Traditional Indonesian games like Tug of War (Tarik Tambang), Wooden Clog Race (Lomba Bakiak), Sack Race (Balap Karung), Spoon-Marble Race (Lomba Kelereng), and coloring competitions for children were special attractions of the day. These games, showcasing Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage, provided entertainment for both participants and spectators while symbolizing unity, friendship, and collaboration among Indonesian nationals.
“With the fun walk in the rain, we are reminded of the hard struggles of our nation’s founding fathers and mothers in achieving independence. However, independence is not the end of our journey; as our first President Sukarno declared, it is the golden bridge towards justice and prosperity,” explained Chargé d’Affaires Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma.
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Furthermore, Chargé d’Affaires Kusuma introduced Indonesia’s 79th Independence Day Logo and Theme, “New Nusantara, Advanced Indonesia.” He highlighted the significant transition and ambitious project of relocating Indonesia’s capital from Jakarta to Nusantara City, which is envisioned as a greener and more sustainable center. “Nusantara represents more than just a new capital; it embodies a long-term vision for the nation,” he concluded.
The event was also a time for joyful reunions. “I am very happy. Meeting my Indonesian friends and enjoying traditional meals together is a blessing for me,” said Muna, an Indonesian national married to a Pakistani from Kasur, Punjab. “I didn’t come to the Embassy alone; I brought my Pakistani family along, and we really enjoyed the event,” added Andalusia from Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Adding to the festivities, Indonesian students set up special food stalls offering a variety of popular Indonesian dishes such as Rendang (spicy meat dish), Nasi Goreng (fried rice), Nasi Padang (steamed rice with various dishes), Mei Goreng (fried noodles), Soto (traditional soup), and much more.
The Indonesian Embassy expressed deep appreciation for the support and participation of various travel agencies, including Omar Travel, Super Crown Travel, Destiny Holiday Planners, A2Z Travel Solutions, Marwa Travel, Shelozon MPL, Al-Zohra Travel & Tours, OZ Travel & Tours, Akhtar Travel & Tours, and Crown International Travel, which made the pre-event possible.
Following this pre-event, the Indonesian Embassy is gearing up for the Indonesian Expo 2024 at Centaurus Mall from August 16-18, 2024, and the Flag Hoisting Ceremony at the Embassy’s premises on August 17, 2024, as the core event to celebrate Independence Day.