Independence Day celebration in Indonesia took on a special tone this year under President Prabowo Subianto, as the State Palace invited 60 small business vendors to showcase their goods to guests, the majority of whom were members of the public. One vendor, Wahyu, who sells traditional kue apem cakes, expressed his joy and gratitude for the opportunity, hoping for a chance to participate again in the future. Another vendor, selling es doger, was overjoyed to step inside the State Palace for the first time, describing the experience as grand and festive.
This year, the Palace made a special effort to include micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the celebrations by allowing them to serve 30,000 portions of food and drinks to the public free of charge. Vendors were stationed at various key points around the Palace, giving visitors a unique opportunity to get up close to the iconic building. Attendees like @ijoeel shared their excitement on Instagram, noting the unprecedented accessibility of the Palace grounds for the event.
The new sense of openness at the State Palace, under President Prabowo’s leadership, was evident as officials, citizens, and small street vendors mingled in a spirit of unity during the Independence Day celebrations. This year’s event not only showcased the talents of local entrepreneurs but also symbolized a shared space where all members of society could come together to celebrate the nation’s independence.
