Indonesia commemorated its 80th Independence Day under President Prabowo Subianto with a unique celebration this year. In a special gesture, the State Palace invited 60 small business vendors to serve their goods to guests, with 80 percent of the attendees being members of the public. The vendors, like Wahyu who sells traditional kue apem cakes, expressed their gratitude and delight for the opportunity to be part of the event. Another vendor, offering es doger, was overjoyed to step inside the State Palace for the first time, describing the experience as grand and festive.
The MSMEs were stationed at three different locations within the Palace grounds to serve 30,000 portions of food and drinks free of charge to the public. This move allowed visitors to get up close and personal with the State Palace, creating an extraordinary experience for many. Attendees took to social media to share their excitement, with one Instagram user praising the Palace’s openness and festive atmosphere.
The Independence Day celebration not only brought together officials and ordinary citizens but also highlighted the new spirit of openness under President Prabowo’s administration. The event symbolized a shared space of unity where everyone, from officials to street vendors, came together to celebrate the country’s independence.
