What's New at the Indonesian Independence Day Celebration: A Daylong People's Party at Monas Until the August 18th Holiday

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – In commemoration of the Proclamation of Independence, August is once again designated as Independence Month. In addition to the Commemoration Ceremony of the Proclamation Moment on August 17, 2025, the government is organizing a series of events to enliven the independence celebration. Furthermore, the government has declared August 18, 2025, as a national holiday. This independence commemoration also marks the first anniversary for Prabowo Subianto as president.

The Chairman of the Commemoration of National Holidays and the 80th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, as well as the Deputy Minister of State Secretary Juri Ardiantoro, announced a series of activities to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia at the office of the Ministry of State Secretariat, Jakarta, Friday (1/8/2025).

The month of independence will begin with a National Prayer event on Friday (1/8/2025) evening. Unlike the national remembrance ceremonies held in previous years in the front yard of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, the National Prayer will be held at the Proclamation Monument.

This historic location, according to the Jury, was chosen as a symbol of gratitude for the struggles of the nation's founders and national heroes.

The Proclamation Monument is related to the reading of the Independence Proclamation text on August 17, 1945, at the residence of President Soekarno, located at 56 Pegangsaan Timur Street, Jakarta. The house later became known as the Proclamation Building.

The Proclamation Monument was originally built by the Jakarta Women's Association as a memorial monument for the first anniversary of Indonesia's independence. Therefore, the monument located in front of the Proclamation Building was initially named the One Year Memorial Monument of the Republic of Indonesia.

This monument was destroyed by President Soekarno in 1960. It was replaced with the Lightning Monument at the location where Bung Karno and Bung Hatta stood while reading the Proclamation text.

In 1972, the Proclamation Monument was rebuilt with exactly the same size and shape as the old one.

In the Proclamation Monument area, on Friday night, approximately 1,500 religious followers will gather. Interfaith prayers will be recited for the unity and welfare of the nation. "This National Prayer is a manifestation that the Indonesian nation is not only a nation that believes in God, but also a nation that is full of tolerance and pluralism in accordance with Bhinneka Tunggal Ika," said Juri.

Prior to the Proclamation Commemoration Ceremony, President Prabowo will also inaugurate the Flag Raising Troop.

In addition, there will still be the awarding of the Honorary Sign of the Republic of Indonesia to individuals, groups, and institutions deemed by the President and the Government to have made significant contributions and pioneering works for the community and the nation of Indonesia. According to the plan, the award ceremony will be held on August 13 at the State Palace.

The series of independence commemorations will also include a State Address on August 15. On August 16, at 00:00, a National Pilgrimage and Sacred Reflection will be held, led by President Prabowo Subianto at the Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery.

"Throughout Indonesia, a Sacred Reflection Ceremony was also held at the local Heroes' Cemetery, in both provinces and regencies/cities," said Juri.

The Commemoration Ceremony of the Proclamation will be preceded by a procession of the Heritage Flag and the Proclamation Text from Monas to the Merdeka Palace using a golden chariot. Horse troops will escort the procession, which will begin at 8:00 AM.

In the afternoon, a Flag Lowering Ceremony will be held. Both the Commemoration Ceremony of the Proclamation Second and the Flag Lowering Ceremony will be presided over by President Prabowo as the Inspector of the Ceremony. Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka will also be present in Jakarta.

President Prabowo, Juri continued, directed that this Independence Day commemoration should be wise and celebrated with joy, happiness, and have an impact on the community. Therefore, the series of ceremonies at the Palace will be filled with various activities packaged inclusively, involving broad community participation.

Most of the invitations distributed, according to Juri, are for the general public. Out of approximately 8,000 invitations, 80 percent are intended for the general public. "We will reduce the number of officials and increase the allocation for the general public. 80 percent is allocated for the general public," Juri stated.

Members of the public who wish to attend can register through the Pandang Istana application, which will be opened starting August 4, 2025. The same applies to those who wish to attend online.

According to the plan, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of independence, there will also be an arts performance showcasing the diversity of Indonesian arts and culture in the courtyard of the Merdeka Palace.

In the central courtyard of the Presidential Palace, a People's Party will be held. Therefore, after the ceremony in the morning, Juri stated, the President will prepare a variety of dishes, food, and beverages intended for the community participants of the ceremony. The preparation of these dishes involves street vendors who sell daily around the Palace, near Monas, and elsewhere.

This People's Party will be the first to be held in celebration of the Indonesian Independence Day at the Presidential Palace. "So, we urge the general public, if you are interested in participating in the 80th Anniversary of the Proclamation Ceremony, to be prepared to receive invitations for the 80th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, starting August 4, 2025.

As for the community members who have not had the opportunity to attend in person at the Palace, Juri added, the committee will hold a People's Festival for a day and night in the Monas area on the same day, August 17, 2025. "So from morning until night there will be a People's Festival," he said.

The People's Festival at Monas will feature various competitions, entertainment stages, free culinary offerings from MSMEs, and a fireworks display in the evening.

The festivities of August 17 will also be more vibrant in the evening with the independence carnival. This carnival involves representatives from all government agencies, ministries, institutions, the military, the police, and state-owned enterprises, who will showcase their flagship programs in decorated vehicles. It is hoped that the creativity of all these institutions can entertain the public. The route of the carnival will traverse the Monas area, MH Thamrin Street, Sudirman Street, up to the Semanggi intersection.

In addition, throughout August 17, 2025, the fare for all public mass transportation in Jakarta, including Jaklingko, Transjakarta, LRT, MRT, and KRL, will be the same, namely Rp 80.

Another gift in the Month of Independence, according to the Jury, is the holiday on August 18. The holiday following the ceremony, public festivities, and carnival is expected to provide the community with the opportunity to hold competitions and activities that enliven the commemoration of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia.

Competitions that foster a spirit of optimism, togetherness, and encourage creativity are hoped to be continuously revitalized. Thus, Indonesia can continue to progress as a prosperous nation.

"So we also urge the public to revive competitions that encourage creativity," said Juri.

It is hoped that this celebration and excitement will not only be held at the national or central level, but also in the regions.

The 80th Independence Day celebration will also be enlivened by the organization of the Merdeka Run 8.0 on August 24 in Jakarta. The number 8.0 was chosen in accordance with the celebration of 80 years of Indonesia's independence.

In addition, there is still a national shopping discount program of up to 80 percent initiated by modern retail businesses and shopping centers.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto launched the logo commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, which is shaped like the number 80, interconnected without ends and unbroken. This logo is said to symbolize the unity of the nation.

The inauguration of the logo took place at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (23/7/2025). "This theme was chosen because it aligns with the nation's grand vision and represents the direction of our nation's struggle. We always want to be a united country, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, diverse but one," said Prabowo during the launch.

The theme of the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia is United Sovereign, Prosperous People, Advanced Indonesia. Thus, the celebration of independence not only commemorates the date of independence but also serves as a momentum to maintain the spirit of struggle and collective sacrifice. It is hoped that this nation will continue to endure and grow into a great, prosperous, and advanced nation.

"Furthermore, we will celebrate with joy and festivity, as well as strengthen the optimism of the community and the nation. Therefore, the theme of this year's independence anniversary is not merely a slogan, but reflects the spirit of working together, mutual cooperation, and real action," Juri added.

He also urged all members of the community, central and regional government agencies, schools, universities, state-owned enterprises, regional-owned enterprises, and the private sector to participate in celebrating the 80th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia. At the very least, everyone can display the Red and White Flag and banners at their homes and in their surroundings.

The appeal to display the Red and White Flag from August 1 to August 31, 2025, was also conveyed through a Circular Letter from Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi to the leaders of institutions and government agencies throughout Indonesia. In the letter dated July 28, 2025, it is hoped that the attributes and logo for the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia will be implemented to the fullest. It is also urged that all parties organize activities that are not only symbolic but also involve community participation.

"Do not forget, during the momentum of Independence Month, to engage in mutual cooperation, community service, cleaning the environment, and other positive activities to make the surroundings clean and comfortable," added Juri.