Early Edition of Independece Day


Today was just a usual day, still working on the Maestro's upcoming episodes, S. Bagio, the late Comedian, and Sapardi Djoko Damono, a Poet and Writer. Some daunting task that should be done in the next few days are episodes for August's edition.

For some Indonesian, August means special. Full of events, excitement and joyful everywhere. Not just because we celebrate the Independence Day each August 17, but also because it means HOLIDAY, a day off to do obligation (Indonesian are REALLY love holiday! ;)).

There must be some ceremonial since in the morning, from Presidency to other govermental institution or school (this is usually an obligation from their intitution, that also means hell, to see the responsibility and loyalty of each one, actually to their intitution, not to the country).

Then, after the ceremonial, it comes to the event that's actually more expected than anything, some games played only in Independence Day. Games that actually not related to the event, but more to the excitement and the joyful itself which usually played in a team work. Everyone is enjoy the games, which to me, it reminds to my own childhood.

For some people who luckier not obliged to attend the ceremony, they could pick any activity they want, either sleep all day long, couch potatoes, go shopping around the malls, or participating the crowd around their neighbourhood.

Except those particular thing, usually in each neighbourhood or intitution, there are other events run in the whole month, usually in contest or exhibition among their own community or with different area, such as; decorating the neighborhood, cooking contest, Mom and children activities, art & culture exhibition, etc. But though some places still engage into these custom, some don't bother anymore. Just like other tradition, people seems not too interested to participate anymore, except for the global thing happens in the world.

So, considering to its historic background, so we're working on episodes that would profile some well-known people in history whose effort and vision was deadly brought only for the independence of this country's sake. They are; Soekarno (1st President and the Proclaimer), Moh. Hatta (1st Vice President and also the Proclaimer) - it's re-run, Sultan HamengkuBuwono IX (2nd Vice President), Adam Malik (3rd Vice President), Sutan Sjahrir (Prime Minister), and Moh. Natsir (Prime Minister).

All are great people, though their name only remain in the history book. Rarely we know about their thoughts and how important their roles were when establishing the new-born Indonesia, over decades ago. At least, not that important rather than expecting the latest gossip about celebrity or ghosts-superstition TV shows that now felt overexposed. Seems ironic to me.