HARIANEXPRESS – Residents across Blitar, East Java, came together to celebrate Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day on Monday, August 17, 2026. The festivities included various competitions and flag ceremonies, fostering community spirit.
Among the vibrant celebrations, fathers residing in Perum Griya Permata, Bangle Village, Kanigoro District, Blitar Regency, showcased their culinary skills in a fried rice cooking competition.
Community Spirit Soars with Diverse Competitions
The neighborhood of Perum Griya Permata hosted a series of engaging competitions for both children and adults, creating a lively atmosphere. These events were held over two days, starting on Sunday, August 16, 2026, and concluding on Monday, August 17, 2026.
While fathers battled it out in the kitchen during the fried rice contest, mothers participated in a unique game involving moving cans with rubber strings. Children enjoyed a range of activities, including a slow bicycle race, a pencil-in-bottle challenge, moving cans, and a ball relay race.
Ari Kurniawan, the Head of the Competition Committee, stated that these annual events are a regular fixture for commemorating Independence Day. He emphasized that beyond celebrating the nation’s independence, the activities also serve to strengthen social bonds and improve harmony among residents.
“This activity is also for educating children so they don’t forget history. Every August, all Indonesian people celebrate RI Independence Day,” Ari Kurniawan .
Other Commemorations Across Blitar
The spirit of patriotism was evident in other parts of Blitar as well. In Modangan Village, Nglegok District, residents gathered for a flag ceremony held at the multipurpose building.
Similarly, citizens in Ngoran Village, also in Nglegok District, organized a flag ceremony where participants donned traditional attire. The ceremony was further enlivened by a drum band performance featuring elementary school students from the village.
