VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

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Indonesia's Independence Day is not only celebrated with a flag ceremony but also with competitions. One of the competitions often held during Independence Day is the sack race. As the name suggests, the traditional game uses sacks as the main tool. Usually, the type of sack used in Indonesia is a gunny sack. Gunny sacks are used because they are thicker and more durable compared to other sacks.

In sack races, usually five to seven players take part in a race. Each player will wear a gunny sack and start racing by jumping. The player who reaches the finish line first will be declared the race winner. Even though it looks easy, it actually requires good physical ability to win this race. It is common for each player to fall and roll over in the racing arena. This atmosphere makes the competition even more exciting. As time goes by, the sack race experiences changes and other forms of variation. One of the game's variations is a sack race using a helmet. The competition is usually held for children.

As quoted from Jakarta's Office of Cultural Affairs website, the Indonesian term of sack race, "balap karung", was first used in the Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. No archive explains the origin of the sack race in Indonesia. However, the game is believed to have been played by the people of Jakarta, especially the Betawi people, the native people of Jakarta, since the Dutch colonial period. The game was originally played by children aged 6 to 12 at Dutch school celebrations. Later, adults began to participate in the sack race at several celebratory events in Jakarta.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has highlighted the crucial role of Indonesian students in Australia in strengthening the relationship between Indonesia and Australia.

Director of Pacific and Oceania Affairs at the Ministry, Adi Dzulfuat stated that Indonesian students in Australia play a significant role in fostering stronger ties between the two nations as they pursue their education, interact with Australian peers, and represent Indonesia's rich cultural heritage and values.

In a press release from the Indonesian Student Association in Australia obtained by Antara on Tuesday, it was mentioned that Dzulfuat's statement was delivered during his speech at the 9th International Indonesian Student Conference held by the Association on July 20 and 21, 2024.

The event, held at the Patricia O’Shane Building, Kensington Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, featured speakers from three different professional dimensions.

Government officials were invited to share their expertise in policy-making and regulatory thinking. Academics and researchers were asked to present research-based insights, while industry practitioners shared their real-world experiences on industry growth.

In his opening remarks on the first day of the conference, President of the Indonesian Student Association, Wildan Ali noted that for 43 years, the Association has fostered a strong Indonesia-Australia relationship by creating a dynamic platform for cultural exchange, academic collaboration, and professional networking, empowering students to become influential advocates and build bridges between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams and Indonesian Ambassador to Australia, Siswo Pramono delivered their opening speeches via video recordings. Both emphasized the importance of the conference as a strategic platform for exchanging ideas and knowledge among Indonesian students in a bid to address complex issues in Indonesia, and their role in strengthening the bilateral relationship.

Indonesia is home to numerous ancient temples, masterpieces of Hindu-Buddhist architecture from various kingdoms. Based on inscriptions that provide records of the conditions at the time, these temples were built between the 3rd century and the end of the Hindu-Buddhist era in the late 14th century. Most of these temples are located in Java Island.Oneofthem is the Plaosan Temple. Located in Dukuh Plaosan, Bugisan Village, Prambanan Subdistrict, Klaten Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia, Plaosan Temple may not besofamous as Borobudur and Prambanan Temples, but it has its own unique charm and is also known as the temple of religious tolerance. The temple complex is often referred to as the Twin Temples, consisting of Plaosan Lor (North Plaosan) and Plaosan Kidul (South Plaosan) Temples. Plaosan Temple is a typical example of the acculturation of Hindu and Buddhist religions,and is believed to have been built in the 8th or 9th century AD. With an affordable entrance fee, you can enjoy and learn about the stories behind this temple.

Currently, Plaosan Lor and Plaosan Kidul Temples are separated by a road. The name Plaosan Lor refers to its location north of the road, while Plaosan Kidul is located south of the road. Today, Plaosan Lor is in better condition, with two large temples still standing majestically. However, the main temple in Plaosan Kidul is no longer intact. The reliefs at Plaosan Temple are delicate and intricate, similar to those found at Borobudur, Sewu, and Sari Temples. The beautifully structured temple buildings, neatly arranged in a vast open field, especially in Plaosan Lor, create a breathtaking scene. The best time to visit this temple is about an hour before sunset, as it offers an opportunity to capture aesthetic photos bathed in the light of the setting sun from the west.

Located near the main Jogjakarta-Solo road, the Plaosan temple complex is easily accessible. Additionally, the Plaosan Temple complex hosts the Twin Temple Festival, held annually. This festival showcases a variety of dances from across the Indonesian archipelago. It is the only large-scale cultural festival held in Klaten. This event is part of the launch of a tourism village in collaboration with the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Surakarta.

Indonesia Culture and Arts Festival (ICAF) 2024 has been held at Titus Forum, Nordwestzentrum, Frankfurt, Germany, from Friday (9/8) to Sunday (11/8). The festival aimed at promoting Indonesia's rich arts and culture to the international public. The Indonesia Culture and Arts Festival 2024 was organized as part of Indonesia's 79th Independence Day celebrations, as well as to commemorate 72 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Germany.

As reported by the official statement of the Indonesian Consulate General in Frankfurt, ICAF 2024 was officially opened by the Indonesian Consul General in Frankfurt, Antonius Yudi Triantoro. In his opening remarks, Antonius has pointed out  that the Indonesia Culture and Arts Festival features  various  cultural experiences and culinary adventures with the theme "Evoking the Beauty of Diversity". Antonius appreciated the performers who were specially brought in from Indonesia, as well as Indonesian arts and culture activists living in Germany and surrounding countries.

Moreover, at the opening ceremony of ICAF 2024, a series of traditional dance performances reflecting Indonesia's cultural heritage were presented. These included the Balinese Theater Dance "Anoman Duta" by the Wijaya Kesuma art group, the Tapanuli Tor Tor Dance by the Iramanda dance group, and the Enggang Dance from the Dayak tribe on the island of Kalimantan by Pesona Indonesia and Friends.

Meanwhile, the Sasando Band performance led by Father Vincent Adi Gunawan combined Indonesian and international songs with Sasando, ukulele and drum instruments. To conclude the ceremony, Reog Ponorogo presented a performance, complete with Singo Barong and Dadak Merak masks that reached 2 meters in height. Reog's presence in Frankfurt also supports Reog Ponorogo's nomination as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The opening of the Indonesia Culture and Arts Festival 2024 was also attended by consular representatives from various countries. After the opening ceremony, guests and invitees were invited to enjoy various exhibitions and bazaars featuring a variety of Indonesian handicrafts and culinary specialties. The Indonesian Consulate General in Frankfurt hopes that through the Indonesia Culture and Arts Festival, Indonesian culture will be increasingly recognized on the international stage, so that it can continue to encourage collaboration and strengthen friendly relations and cooperation between Indonesia and Germany.