Indonesia Independence Day Celebrations – 17 August 2009

HUT RI / Hari Ulang Tahun Proklamasi Kemerdekaan Indonesia Ke-64

HUT RI 64

This coming Monday 17 August 2009, Indonesia is celebrating the 64th Independence Day. Indonesia Independence Day is observed to mark the Proclamation (Declaration) of Indonesian Independence on Friday, August 17, 1945. Prior to the proclamation, Indonesia had been colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch, and Japanese for over 300 years.

What to expect?

Independence day is a huge celebration in Indonesia. Most businesses and offices are closed on the Independence day, but preparations are started 2-3 months before that. Business and locals are chirping in for activities with donations. Streets and building around the country are decorated with the ornaments such as Indonesian red-white flags and congratulatory banners.

Days around the festival, visitors can observe lots of interesting activities. In almost every villages, town and cities, you can watch sports competitions and free concerts. On the day itself, the main attractions are the town parades, with marching bands, decorated cars and bikes, barongs, and kuda lumpings.

For the locals, one of the most anticipated activity is the panjat pinang game. People groups into a team of 3-6 persons each, to attempt a climb of slippery poles for gifts and prizes on top of the pole. It’s really quite fun to watch.

Panjat Pinang

The Indonesian Independence proclamation text

in Indonesian

PROKLAMASI
Kami, bangsa Indonesia, dengan ini menjatakan kemerdekaan Indonesia.
Hal-hal jang mengenai pemindahan kekoeasaan d.l.l., diselenggarakan dengan tjara saksama dan dalam tempo jang sesingkat-singkatnja.
Djakarta, hari 17 boelan 8 tahoen 05
Atas nama bangsa Indonesia
–tanda tangan Soekarno/Hatta–
Soekarno – Hatta

English translation:

PROCLAMATION
WE THE PEOPLE OF INDONESIA HEREBY DECLARE THE INDEPENDENCE OF
INDONESIA. MATTERS WHICH CONCERN THE TRANSFER OF POWER AND
OTHER THINGS WILL BE EXECUTED BY CAREFUL MEANS AND IN THE
SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME.
DJAKARTA, 17 AUGUST 1945
IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE OF INDONESIA
SOEKARNO—HATTA