More than three hundred Indonesian nationals along with their families gathered this morning at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Islamabad, to celebrate the 79th anniversary of the Indonesian Independence Day on 17 August 2024. Despite rain, they enthusiastically joined the pre-event series, said a release issued here on Saturday. “Express gratitude to all Indonesian nationals from Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad, and Abottabad”, Ferry J. Murdiansyah, Chief of the Indonesian Embassy’s Committee of the Independence Day 2024 in his welcoming remarks. Ferry J. Murdiansyah also appreciated the presence of all coordinators who have helped the Embassy in the protection mission towards its nationals in Pakistan. The pre-event is marked by great festivity. A highly anticipated, joyful aspect of the Independence Day celebration is the indispensable tradition of the sports events and fun games that take place nationwide and across the globe supported by the Indonesian missions abroad. In Islamabad, the pre-event begins with the fun walk at the Diplomatic Enclave. All participants wear a T-Shirt in national fervor and a spirit of red and white representing the colors of the Indonesian flag. Regardless of age, there are fun activities for everyone. Covering a distance of three kilometers the fun walk finished back at the Embassy where the participants were greeted by refreshments and surprise gifts. Later, various games described as ‘Lomba 17an’ in the Indonesian language got underway featuring hotly contested events such as badminton, table tennis, volleyball, and futsal. The Indonesian traditional popular games like Tug of War (Tarik Tambang), Wooden Clog Race (Lomba Bakiak), Sack Race (Balap Karung), Spoon-Marble Race (Lomba Kelereng), and coloring competitions for the kids were special features of the day. These games highlight the playful and amusing nature of the celebrations not only greatly entertained the participants and spectators but showcased Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage as well. Apart from physical activity and amusement, sports and fun games essentially symbolize the spirits of unity, friendship, and collaboration among Indonesian nationals. “With the funwalk under rain, we are expected to feel the hard struggle of our nation founding fathers and mothers to reach independence for us. However, the independence is not the end of our journey. As the first Indonesian President Sukarno declared that independence is the golden bridge towards justice and prosperity,” explained Charg’ d’Affaires Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma. Moreover, the Indonesian Charg’ d’Affaires while introducing Indonesia’s 79th Independence Day Logo and Theme, “New Nusantara, Advanced Indonesia”, he further illustrated the momentous transition and the ambitious project of shifting the Indonesian capital city and administrative heart from the bustling city of Jakarta to Nusantara City which is greener and sustainable. To spice up the event, the special food stalls were set up by the Indonesian students, offering a choice of Indonesian popular scrumptious dishes such as Rendang (spicy meat dish), Nasi Goreng (fried rice), Nasi Padang (steamed rice served with various dishes), Mei Goreng (fried noodles) and Soto or the traditional soups, and much more, he remarked. “Nusantara is conceptualized and designed to be more than just a new capital city but it essentially represents a long term vision for the nation,” he concluded. “For sure, I am very happy. Meeting with my Indonesian friends and having traditional meals together are such a blessing for me,” said Muna, an Indonesian national married to a Pakistani from Kasur, Punjab. “I am coming to the Embassy not alone, but along with my Pakistani families. We enjoy the event,” added Andalusia from Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa”, he remarked. The Indonesian Embassy highly appreciates the support and participation of Omar Travel, Super Crown Travel, Destiny Holiday Planners, A2Z Travel Solutions, Marwa Travel and Shelozon MPL, Al-Zohra Travel and Tours, OZ Travel & Tours, Akhtar Travel & Tours, and Crown International Travel, that make the pre-event possible, Andalusia added. Following the pre-event, the Indonesian Embassy is currently preparing the Indonesian Expo 2024 at the Centaurus Mall on 16-18 August 2024 and the Flag Hoisting Ceremony at the Embassy’s premises on 17 August 2024 as the core event to celebrate the Independence Day.