The 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day was celebrated in various countries. Indonesian citizens in Norway and France celebrated at the local Indonesian embassies. The series of events included celebrations during the bright European summer nights.
At the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Oslo, Norway, the commemoration has been held since Saturday (15/8/2026). In addition to the ceremony at the KBRI on August 17, 2026, a Family Fun Day was organized at Vigeland Park in Oslo.
One of the lively events was the Amazing Fun Race, which invited participants to compete by answering various quizzes about Indonesia. Then, there were typical Indonesian events, such as sack races, pencil-in-bottle competitions, and caterpillar competitions.
Ambassador Teuku Faizasyah cut a birthday cake symbolizing the commemoration of Indonesia’s 81st anniversary. “Although far from the homeland, love for Indonesia remains strong,” said Faizasyah.
In fact, there were residents who traveled for three days to attend the flag ceremony in Oslo. The festivities will continue with the Indonesian Cultural Night on August 24, 2026, inviting friends and partners of the Indonesian Embassy in Oslo. The event, held on a beautiful summer evening, is expected to open opportunities for closer cooperation and business between Indonesia and Norway.
Poco-poco
In Paris, the atmosphere of the homeland was enlivened by the presence of around 700 Indonesian diaspora in France. The commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia was marked by the moments of the Proclamation, which was then followed by a festive stage.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to France, Mohammad Oemar, expressed pride in being able to host the community and friends of Indonesia during the Commemoration of Indonesia’s Independence. “The Indonesian Embassy in Paris is a shared home for the Indonesian community and diaspora in France. Through this celebration, we hope to strengthen the sense of nationalism and love for the homeland,” said Ambassador Oemar.
The ceremony was solemn, with the Indonesian Ambassador to France serving as the Inspector of the Ceremony. Meanwhile, the Land Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Paris, Colonel (Arm) Aji Nugroho, acted as the commander of the ceremony. The flag-raising was conducted by 11 members of the Paskibraka, consisting of Indonesian students and students in France.
A poignant atmosphere was felt as the flag was raised in Europe at the Indonesian Embassy in Paris. The ceremony was followed by a joint prayer for the victims of the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara.
The tumpeng (rice cone) was then cut as a thanksgiving for the independence of the Republic of Indonesia. Attendees wore traditional attire from various regions of Indonesia. The atmosphere became even more festive as the audience danced along to the rhythms of Poco-Poco, Gemu Fa Mi Re, and Maumere.
Iwan Esa Nugraha, a diaspora who participated for the first time in the commemoration of Indonesia’s Independence at the Indonesian Embassy in Paris, expressed his joy at the gathering of so many Indonesian citizens who came together in gratitude. “The homeland is always close to the heart,” said Iwan.
Diaspora awards
At the Consulate General of Indonesia in San Francisco, United States, in addition to holding a flag ceremony and a celebration, awards were also given to the Indonesian diaspora. The awards were presented in recognition of the contributions of the diaspora to the community and to strengthen Indonesia’s presence on the west coast of the United States.
The diaspora includes Hedina Utarti, a volunteer for the Asian Woman Shelter program; Ari Sufiati, co-founder and President of Indonesia Light House, Reculture Foods. Additionally, there is a tempe business managed by Febi Boediarto and Melati Citrawireja.
There is also Adi Sumandi, a religious leader in Islam in Sacramento and Northern California, as well as Pastor Paulus Kristanto, the shepherd of Fresno City Blessing Church (FCBC). In addition, there is June Cutlre, President of the Seattle-Surabaya Sister City, and Mila Atchinson, a liaison for the Indonesian community in the State of Alaska.
The independence ceremony of the Republic of Indonesia in San Francisco was attended by at least 200 diaspora and members of the Indonesian community in San Francisco and the Bay Area. They included representatives from various community elements such as diaspora figures, community members, academics, students, as well as TNI officers studying at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). There were also U.S. citizens studying the Indonesian language at the Defense Language Institute (DLI) in Monterrey.
In a commemoration themed “Indonesia Sovereign, Just, and Prosperous,” the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in San Francisco, Yohpy Wardana, invited the community and the diaspora to interpret independence not only as a legacy of struggle but also as a responsibility to fill that independence with works, unity, and tangible contributions.
The 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day was celebrated in various countries. Indonesian citizens in Norway and France celebrated at the local Indonesian embassies. The series of events included celebrations during the bright European summer nights.
At the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Oslo, Norway, the commemoration has been held since Saturday (15/8/2026). In addition to the ceremony at the KBRI on August 17, 2026, a Family Fun Day was organized at Vigeland Park in Oslo.
One of the lively events was the Amazing Fun Race, which invited participants to compete by answering various quizzes about Indonesia. Then, there were typical Indonesian events, such as sack races, pencil-in-bottle competitions, and caterpillar competitions.
Ambassador Teuku Faizasyah cut a birthday cake symbolizing the commemoration of Indonesia’s 81st anniversary. “Although far from the homeland, love for Indonesia remains strong,” said Faizasyah.
In fact, there were residents who traveled for three days to attend the flag ceremony in Oslo. The festivities will continue with the Indonesian Cultural Night on August 24, 2026, inviting friends and partners of the Indonesian Embassy in Oslo. The event, held on a beautiful summer evening, is expected to open opportunities for closer cooperation and business between Indonesia and Norway.
Poco-poco
In Paris, the atmosphere of the homeland was enlivened by the presence of around 700 Indonesian diaspora in France. The commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia was marked by the moments of the Proclamation, which was then followed by a festive stage.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to France, Mohammad Oemar, expressed pride in being able to host the community and friends of Indonesia during the Commemoration of Indonesia’s Independence. “The Indonesian Embassy in Paris is a shared home for the Indonesian community and diaspora in France. Through this celebration, we hope to strengthen the sense of nationalism and love for the homeland,” said Ambassador Oemar.
The ceremony was solemn, with the Indonesian Ambassador to France serving as the Inspector of the Ceremony. Meanwhile, the Land Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Paris, Colonel (Arm) Aji Nugroho, acted as the commander of the ceremony. The flag-raising was conducted by 11 members of the Paskibraka, consisting of Indonesian students and students in France.
A poignant atmosphere was felt as the flag was raised in Europe at the Indonesian Embassy in Paris. The ceremony was followed by a joint prayer for the victims of the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara.
The tumpeng (rice cone) was then cut as a thanksgiving for the independence of the Republic of Indonesia. Attendees wore traditional attire from various regions of Indonesia. The atmosphere became even more festive as the audience danced along to the rhythms of Poco-Poco, Gemu Fa Mi Re, and Maumere.
Iwan Esa Nugraha, a diaspora who participated for the first time in the commemoration of Indonesia’s Independence at the Indonesian Embassy in Paris, expressed his joy at the gathering of so many Indonesian citizens who came together in gratitude. “The homeland is always close to the heart,” said Iwan.
Diaspora awards
At the Consulate General of Indonesia in San Francisco, United States, in addition to holding a flag ceremony and a celebration, awards were also given to the Indonesian diaspora. The awards were presented in recognition of the contributions of the diaspora to the community and to strengthen Indonesia’s presence on the west coast of the United States.
The diaspora includes Hedina Utarti, a volunteer for the Asian Woman Shelter program; Ari Sufiati, co-founder and President of Indonesia Light House, Reculture Foods. Additionally, there is a tempe business managed by Febi Boediarto and Melati Citrawireja.
There is also Adi Sumandi, a religious leader in Islam in Sacramento and Northern California, as well as Pastor Paulus Kristanto, the shepherd of Fresno City Blessing Church (FCBC). In addition, there is June Cutlre, President of the Seattle-Surabaya Sister City, and Mila Atchinson, a liaison for the Indonesian community in the State of Alaska.
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The independence ceremony of the Republic of Indonesia in San Francisco was attended by at least 200 diaspora and members of the Indonesian community in San Francisco and the Bay Area. They included representatives from various community elements such as diaspora figures, community members, academics, students, as well as TNI officers studying at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). There were also U.S. citizens studying the Indonesian language at the Defense Language Institute (DLI) in Monterrey.
In a commemoration themed “Indonesia Sovereign, Just, and Prosperous,” the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in San Francisco, Yohpy Wardana, invited the community and the diaspora to interpret independence not only as a legacy of struggle but also as a responsibility to fill that independence with works, unity, and tangible contributions.