Indonesian Community in USA: 17 August - Indonesian Independence Day

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

17 August - Indonesian Independence Day

Dear Indonesian friends and communities:
We graciously invite you for celebrating the 62nd INDEPENDENCE DAY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA 2007 in Chicago, as follows:

INDONESIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CEREMONY @ CONSUL GENERAL'S RESIDENCE
Date: Friday, August 17, 2007
Time: 10:00 am (on time) - 15:00 pm
Venue: Official Residence of the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (Wisma KEPPRI), 614 Pine Lane, Winnetka, IL 60093
Phone: (847) 446-0268
Dress: Formal Attire (Business suits / Batik / Traditional)
Ceremonial event:
1. Flag-raising ceremony of the 62nd Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia.
2. Gifts presentation for winners of the 62nd Independence Day sporting events.
3. "Silaturahmi" Indonesian community and friends of Indonesia, Indonesian authentic foods will be served.
4. Photos and video clips presentation of activities of the Indonesian Consulate General and Indonesian Communities.
Contacts Indonesian Consulate: Mr. Yudho Sasongko <yudhosasongko@yahoo.com>

INDONESIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CEREMONY @ CHICAGO'S DALEY PLAZA
Date: Friday, August 17, 2007
Time: 12:00 pm (on time) - end
Venue: Chicago's Daley Plaza (in front of Chicago's City Hall - Corner of Dearborn St and Washington St)
Dress: Formal Attire (Business suits / Batik / Traditional)
Ceremonial event:
1. The first flag-raising ceremony of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia in Chicago
2. Grand openings, Open mic, Presentation of dignitaries
3. FOX News TV Channel coverage
4. Indonesian traditional entertainment including Performance by Friends of Gamelan (FROG).
Free admission & open to the public, contacts IACI: Roosy Miller < pakmiller@yahoo.com >, < indochocago@mac.com >, Ari Wijanarko Adipratomo < arifuturediplomat@gmail.com >, Martino Tangkar < mtangkar@yahoo.com >

Happy Indonesian Independence Day 2007!
MERDEKA!!!


ABOUT THE INDONESIAN FLAG (THE RED WHITE)*
Indonesia is the fourth largest nation in the world in population (over 200 million). A nation in Southeast Asia comprising 17,500 islands, it is also the world's largest archipelagic state. This year, Indonesia celebrates its 62nd Independence Day. Following three and a half centuries of Dutch colonialism, Indonesia secured its independence after World War II. The Indonesian Declaration of Independence was officially proclaimed on August 17, 1945.

The national flag of Indonesia, is known in Indonesian as "Sang Merah Putih," ("The Red and White"). Its colors are derived from the banner of the 13th century Majapahit Empire. "The Red and White" flag was flown for the first time in Java in 1928. Under Dutch rule, the flag was prohibited. It was adopted as the national flag at the Indonesian Independence Day ceremony on August 17, 1945. For over 60 years, the design of the flag has not changed, as well as the ratio of the colors.

The design of the flag is a simple two-colored flag with two equal horizontal bands, red (top) and white (bottom) with 2:3 ratio consecutively. The flag is similar to the flag of Poland and the flag of Singapore, and is identical to the flag of Monaco (except for the ratio).

MEANING OF THE FLAG*
The red color represents courage and bravery, and the human's body or physical life, while the white color represents the human's soul or spiritual life, and purity. Together, they stand for a complete human being.
The Flag also inspired a song entitled, "Merah Putih" (Red and White), one of Indonesia's national songs.
Traditionally, most Indonesians have been known to use red and white colors as their sacred colors, mixing the color of sugar (the red color comes from palm-sugar) and rice, which is white in color.
The red and white colors are also embodied in many Indonesian occasions. They are also included in daily Indonesian cuisine or cooking.
(*
Source for historical and flag info: Wikipedia.org, July 24, 2007)

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