Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day Festivities: Weaving Unity in Diversity in Tembagapura
Tembagapura, August 9-10 -- The peak of a series of pre-events leading up to the 80th Anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence was held in lively fashion at the Tembagapura Sporthall. For two days, the sports facility was transformed into a stage that celebrated the rich cultural diversity of Indonesia.
Upon arrival, visitors were greeted by what felt like a miniature Indonesia. The event’s booths came in many forms, from traditional houses to showcases of iconic tourist destinations.
About 14 divisions of PT Freeport Indonesia collaborated with local cultural associations to present the richness of Indonesian heritage. The creativity and dedication of the participants shone through in every booth design and costume. Each booth highlighted the beauty and uniqueness of Indonesian culture and tourism, complete with traditional games and bazaars offering local delicacies and handicrafts.
“It felt like traveling across Indonesia in a day,” said Cherry, from the Mining Safety Division, whose booth featured a Rumah Bolon, the traditional house of the Batak people from North Sumatra.
The first day was enlivened with a folklore competition showcasing traditional dances, songs, music, and folk dramas from various regions. Before taking the stage, every participant received guidance from three professional coaches who helped refine each performance.
“All the participants gave their very best. We were not here to pit cultures against each other, because culture is not something you can compete. Every tradition has its own uniqueness and identity. That’s what Indonesia is-- rich and multi-ethnic. We focused more on teamwork and harmony, especially on how musical elements came together in each performance,” said Kevin Bosco, one of the judges and folklore coaches.
The second day began with the Pentas Anak Emas showcase by students from Yayasan Pendidikan Jayawijaya (YPJ) Tembagapura. This was followed by a tumpeng competition, where each decorative element and dish carried its own meaning and philosophy. The tumpeng creations were carried to the stage in lively processions of traditional music and dance before being presented to the judges.
As the evening rolled in, the event reached its climax with a spectacular traditional costume fashion show, featuring unique creations from cross-divisional collaborations with cultural associations.
When the winners were announced and prizes awarded, the venue erupted with applause and cheers. But beyond all that, the most valuable takeaway was the sense of togetherness. As the Head of the Committee, Andri Abdullah, stated:
“On behalf of the committee, I want to thank everyone, especially the division and cultural association representatives, who gave their all in preparing the performances and exhibits at Highland.”
Commemorating Independence Day is not just about remembering history, it’s also about nurturing unity, honoring differences, and building a more inclusive future for Indonesia. The two-day Semarak Kemerdekaan celebration proved that the spirit of independence lives on in every effort and every act of collaboration that brought this event to life. (AN)
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