All the fun, seriousness and voluntary dedication in preparing for the games, decorating the streets and alleys and pulling the young away from couches to join local committees — and collecting funds to make it all happen — will again test the unity at all levels that we like to brag about.

Look around and join anything that appeals to you — nationals and foreigners are welcome to join the chess games, bicycle and costumes parades for the kids, the krupuk (cracker) eating competition, the collective bakiak (plank race) and tug-of-war — just a few among the favorites of tujuhbelasan (Aug. 17), apart from the most challenging race up the slippery pole to grab prizes at the top.

It’s a chance to be both competitive and silly with the bonus of prizes big and small, according to the affordability of respective neighborhoods. Silly is the crucial requirement for the committees in charge of putting together new and old games, as the unwritten goal is to make everyone roar with laughter on the national holiday.

Historians say the pesta rakyat (people’s parties) began in the 1950s, following the 1945 proclamation of independence. The simple ingredients of the activities remind us of the creativity of those early years when life was very difficult, just after the Japanese left, leaving a great sense of victory amid poverty.

Sacks were often a basic material for garments, our parents say, but have become a source of great fun in the balap karung (sack race). Creating merriment out of everyday items has also become the challenge every August. Thus residents know that having no money is no excuse for not having a grand time as long as they put their heads and energy together in the spirit of gotong royong (mutual help).

Also check out the parades. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo reportedly hoped the bendera pusaka, the flag flown at the proclamation of independence by founding fathers Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, could be better appreciated by the public instead of only used in the state ceremony.

In later years, a replica of the increasingly frail first red-and-white has been used in the ceremony at the palace.

Following Jokowi’s suggestion, the replica may be displayed on a special horse-drawn carriage from the National Monument (Monas).

Cities and provinces are attempting to make August the most memorable month for residents and visitors. Jokowi is scheduled to join celebrations planned from Aug. 20 at the iconic Lake Toba in the Batak heartland of North Sumatra, which could boost the government’s efforts to promote tourists destinations other than Bali.

We largely take all these events for granted. But laughing together may be the best way to forget our frequent foolish obsession with differences that shadow our collective Indonesian-ness, even though we repeat slogans of unity in every flag-raising ceremony.

Popular

New Dutch coalition government wants 'strictest' asylum policy

Single-class hospital care scheme will not affect premiums yet, BPJS says

Ukrainians, Russian face death over Bali drug lab: Police