Washington, DC (VOA) —
There are around 5,000 Indonesian citizens in the US state of Florida. They work in all fields, from nurses, artists to housewives. Every year, they long to commemorate the Republic of Indonesia’s Independence Day just like when they lived in Indonesia.
Without an official committee and not in any organization, a group of Indonesian diaspora are determined to hold the “Semarak Indonesia” event on August 19.
“We are just Indonesians who have lived here (the US) for decades. So, we miss holding events celebrating August 17th, like in Indonesia. There are games, art, there is also a fashion show. At first it was just plain talk, ehh… it finally happened”, said Rebecca Bonnejonne, from Bandung who has been a nurse in Florida since 2001.
Rebecca Bonnejonne (second from left, dressed in blue and white batik) (Photo: courtesy).
Together with several friends, in the midst of their busy lives, Rebecca found a place, prepared a food menu, and prepared the performers to enliven the event which was called “Semarak Indonesia.” They prepared 150 tickets for the event, which sold out immediately.
“We provided 15 tables, one table with 10 chairs, all sold. Many are still asking. I’m just saying, sorry because we have announced it long before. Next time we will hold a bigger one, because this is the first time and for the people in Central Florida and its surroundings,” he explained.
Rebecca added that her desire to show Indonesia was very strong. After more than 20 years living in the US, he misses the various activities related to the August 17 celebration.
“Excited, yes, because it not only gathers Indonesian people, but also introduces Indonesian culture. We invited the Mayor of Clairmont (where the event was held) and the (Indonesian) Consulate General in Houston,” he told VOA.
The Indonesian Cultural Group (ICG) arts group, which has more than 200 members, will perform various dances from Sabang to Merauke. The main menu that will be served is Padang cuisine, considering that rendang is well known to Americans.
ICG (Indonesian Cultural Group) dancers in Florida are practicing for the “Semarak Indonesia” event on August 19, 2023. (Photo: courtesy)
Meanwhile, the commemoration of the 78th Indonesian Independence Day in the US capital, Washington, DC, is routinely held every year with the same activities. The flag-raising ceremony, including the moments from the Proclamation to the lowering of the flag, took place at Wisma Indonesia, with the Indonesian Ambassador to the United States leading the ceremony, Rosan Roeslani.
The flag hoisting was carried out by youths from the Indonesian diaspora, as explained by the Chairman of the Committee for the Republic of Indonesia’s Anniversary, Defense Attache at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, DC, Marsma TNI Tjahya Elang Migdiawan, ST, MM.
“A total of 31 diaspora children in the DMV area (DC, Maryland, Virginia) have passed the selection to take part in Paskibra activities. And they started practicing on June 25, 2023,” he told VOA in the midst of the busy commemoration of the Republic of Indonesia’s Independence Day.
It has been a tradition for decades, the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, DC held this Indonesian anniversary event with a Happy Stage which is often enlivened by the presence of artists from Indonesia, as said by the head of the committee, Febria Retnoningsih.
“This year our guest star is Via Vallen to enliven the happy stage and has been announced on flyers on the Indonesian Embassy’s social media. This year we are also special because it is possible to separate the Ambassador, Mr. Rosan Roeslani who has been appointed Deputy Minister of SOEs.”
The Indonesian Ambassador to the US, Rosan Roeslani confirmed the members of the 2023 Paskibra Team at Wisma Indonesia in Tilden, Washington, DC (photo: Indonesian Embassy in Washington, DC).
The longing for Indonesian food can be relieved by the Bazaar which is open to the public. Apart from that, the bazaar is also a means to develop a culinary business for the Indonesian diaspora in the US, as well as introducing Indonesian cuisine to US citizens.
Asked about the participants, the Head of the Bazaar Committee, Gustaav Richard Ferdinandus said, “The number of booths this year is the same as last year, 34. So 26 booths for food, 5 booths for non-food and 3 tables for non-profit.”
However, selling food in America is not as easy as in Indonesia, because in the US food sellers must be licensed. Moreover, many US citizens will attend and eat Indonesian food. So the Indonesian Embassy also requires that the food sellers at the Bazaar have a license.
“That’s what we emphasize and we ask for those requirements for food and beverage vendors. So from the start we asked for a license in the registration form because the bazaar was held at the Indonesian Embassy’s premises and we are protecting the good name of the Indonesian Embassy, we are protecting the good name of the Indonesian Embassy as the organiser. So we don’t want anything to happen, but what is certain is that licensing is the main requirement,” he explained.
The commemoration of Indonesia’s independence day will be closed with a diplomatic reception in September, which will invite diplomats from various countries who serve in the US. (ps/ka)
