Regional administrations across the country have decided to limit the celebrations of Indonesia’s upcoming 75th anniversary and called on residents to refrain from holding events that could attract crowds amid the current COVID-19 pandemic, which is showing no signs of slowing down. The Surabaya administration in East Java has altogether prohibited celebrations that usually involve a large number of people, such as tirakatan (a tradition held on the eve of Independence Day to express gratitude to God before holding a flag-hoisting ceremony the next morning) as well as various competitions featuring traditional games including panjat pinang (pole climbing) and balap karung (sack race). Indonesia’s Independence Day is celebrated every Aug. 17, when residents traditionally hold various events to commemorate the anniversary. Deputy secretary of the Surabaya COVID-19 task...