picture by tio1418In the next few days, the Indonesian people are going to celebrate the 63rd Independence Day. This Memorial Day would be celebrated throughout the archipelago. Preparations even begin weeks before the D-day, August 17th. Scrappers in several major cities such as Jakarta and Surabaya sprout extra large banner and flag. Mall interior in Bandung and Macassar are decorated with red and white nuance. Street and kampongs in Denpasar and Medan as well as other big cities and small towns designed with a series of colorful tiny lamps. Kerja bakti (volunteer work) conducted by schools, offices and neighborhoods to clean, repaint or decorate house and building. The independence themes can be found everywhere, so does the spirit.

The annual patriotic day is also a holiday to any workers and students. Regular daily routines stopped, altered by several activities commemorating the history. In the morning of August 17th, flag ceremony solemnly hold at the Merdeka Palace (Presidential Palace), broadcasted by national and local TV stations live. The same honor and respect ceremony also hold at every city and town squares, government and private offices, schools and colleges across the country from Sabang to Merauke as well as abroad embassies and consulates in all continents.

But Independence Day is not the same without traditional game activities. Neighborhood association, workers union and government official coordinate several unique contests. Children will look forward games such as krupuk (shrimp chips) eating contests and kepruk kendi(clay pot hitting). Teenagers will wait for balap karung(sack race), tarik tambang(rope pulling) and panjat pinang(a climbing contest of greased palm trunk, at the top are hung various prizes like bikes, clothes, housewares, radiotape, TVs and many other things as prizes). Adult and young female may prepare for tumpeng(cone of yellow rice with various dishes) cooking contest, while the male try to win a goat prize from sarong football and futsal.

Panjat Pinang by Rifie

What about in the internet? Some Indonesia-based websites may place red and white banners and badges in the homepage. Some business and service sites offer a discounted price and bonus to commemorating the holy day virtually. Bloggers of course don’t want to be left behind. You will see hundreds of postings subjected to the national Independence Day topics around this month. While other business blogger may comes up with gathering and rendezvous ideas. But the most creative commemoration would be an online contest arranged by a prominent internet contest site.

The prize is tempting, from paypal-delivered fresh cash to paid eBooks, thousands of Entrecard points and other many free services. Those stuffs would be useful for a ‘problogger wannabe‘. You can see the details at IndoContest dot Com

The list of sponsors prizes are:

Winner #1:

Winner #2:

Winner #3:

Winners #4:

Winner #5:

Everyone was passionate to join before its closing on August 17th. I try to join the contest. I also suggest you to join whether you are an Indonesian or not. Hopefully, I could win too. It will be a nice memorable present to my newbie blogging activities.

Dirgahayu RI. Long live Indonesia!

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