Indonesia recently celebrated its 80th Independence Day under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, with a unique and inclusive atmosphere. This year, around 60 small business vendors were specially invited to participate in the festivities, with all their products purchased by the State Palace to be served to guests, the majority of whom were members of the public. The vendors, like Wahyu who sells traditional kue apem cakes, expressed their gratitude and happiness for the opportunity to be a part of the event.
Another vendor, who sells es doger, shared his excitement at stepping foot inside the State Palace for the first time in his life. The vendors were stationed at various locations around the Palace, serving 30,000 portions of food and drinks free of charge to the public. This gesture provided visitors with a unique opportunity to experience the grandeur of the State Palace up close.
Attendees, like @ijoeel on Instagram, were impressed by the openness and hospitality at the Palace during the celebration. He noted the usually strict restrictions on entry to certain areas, praising the Presidential Security Forces (Paspampres) for maintaining a balance between security and comfort. This year’s festivities not only celebrated the country’s independence but also symbolized the Palace’s new spirit of openness and unity under President Prabowo’s leadership. It was a gathering of officials, ordinary citizens, and small vendors coming together in a shared space of celebration and community.
