Jakarta plans big on 78th Independence Day festivities

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Jakarta is expected to see a series of festive celebrations for the 78th Indonesian Independence Day, which falls on Aug. 17, marking the first time since the country was hit by the COVID-19 outbreak, and possibly the last time before the capital moves to the new capital of Nusantara in East Kalimantan.

All the main events of the Independence Day celebration will be held in Jakarta, starting with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s annual State of the Union address at the House of Representatives on Aug. 16 and ending with the flag ceremony at the State Palace on Aug. 17.

This year’s celebration is expected to be watched by bigger crowds compared with the celebrations in the past three years. The three previous ceremonies needed to be minimized due to health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19, forcing organizers to invite as few people as possible and restrict the crowd of general spectators.