The State Palace has been a busy place this week as it gears up for the country’s 71st celebration of independence next Wednesday.

Red-and-white flags can be seen in almost every corner of the palace, while stages and tents have been constructed within the grounds. Workers and palace staff have been seen running errands for the upcoming event, for which the palace will hold rehearsals from Saturday to Monday.

Aiming to remain modest, while at the same time celebrating joyously and upholding the ceremony’s solemnity, the palace will continue an initiative it introduced last year to give more chance to the general public to attend the celebrations. Like last year, the palace is set to give 70 percent of invitations to the Independence Day event to members of the public and 30 percent to public officials.

“The public rarely have the chance [to visit the palace], therefore we want people to join the celebrations to share in the energy of independence,” Presidential Secretariat head Darmansjah Djumala said on Thursday.

As well as members of the public, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who will preside over the national ceremony for the second time, will invite a number of figures deemed to have inspired others in human development and students who have represented Indonesia in international math or science Olympiads.

“Have you heard about the ‘floating nurse’? She is a hero. Or a dropout who organizes educational trainings?” Darmansjah said, adding that such figures needed to be acknowledged for their hard work in improving the nation.

Darmasjah referred to nurse Andi Rabiah in South Sulawesi, who supports residents in Pangkajene Islands regency, and Andri Rizki Putra, a high-school dropout who founded the Foundation for the Nation’s Young Leaders (YPAB), which organizes equivalency diplomas for the poor.

Last year’s event had a different atmosphere, with Jokowi inviting locals from the neighborhood and members of disadvantaged communities from across Jakarta, including fishermen, farmers, street vendors, orphans and vendors from Tanah Abang Market.

The upcoming celebration will feature more kindergarten and elementary school children — not only from Jakarta, but also from Papua, Bengkulu and Banten, as well Tulungagung in East Java — taking part in dance performances, unlike last year’s event, which was dominated by professional dancers.

The move will ensure “that the experience stays with them” as members of the country’s young generation who will build the nation in the future, Darmansjah added.

Another event slated for this year’s celebration at the palace will feature the country’s first national flag being transported in a traditional carriage from the National Monument (Monas) to the palace, in an idea raised by Jokowi himself.

“Therefore, it is not seen as merely a piece of cloth, but a sacred and respected state symbol,” Darmansjah said.

On Friday, members of this year’s national flag-raising team (Paskibraka) visited the palace for a practice session.

It had never previously occurred to 16-year-old Melinnia Hilda Mareta from Pare, Kediri, East Java, that she would visit the palace as a Paskibraka member.

“This is the palace, where not everyone can have the luxury [of visiting],” said Melinnia, who underwent a selection process that encompassed school, regency and provincial levels. “I’m so happy; what I have fought for, what I have sacrificed, it’s worth it.”
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