17 Aug 1946: The First Year of Being Free

On 17 August 1946, a modest but momentous celebration unfolded across the Indonesian archipelago. It marked the first anniversary of the country's hard-won independence, proclaimed just a year earlier amidst the ruins of a world war and the ashes of colonial rule. The joy was palpable, but so too was the uncertainty. For the nascent republic, this was not merely a commemoration. It was a declaration of resilience, of intent, and of unity under fragile circumstances.

Indonesia's declaration of independence on 17 August 1945, read aloud by Sukarno and Hatta in Jakarta, came only two days after Japan's surrender in the Pacific War. The end of Japanese occupation did not immediately usher in peace. Instead, it triggered a volatile transition as the Dutch sought to reassert control over their former colony. Armed conflict loomed, and diplomatic recognition from global powers remained elusive. Amidst such turbulence, preparing for a national celebration was both an act of defiance and a gesture of hope.

The first anniversary, though devoid of grandeur, was filled with symbolic weight. Across Java, Sumatra, and other islands under republican control, ceremonies were held in town squares, school fields, and village halls. Red and white flags, hastily sewn from scraps, fluttered above modest gatherings. Bamboo poles adorned with hand-painted slogans stood upright as symbols of resistance and dignity. Speeches echoed over makeshift loudspeakers, often powered by car batteries, as community leaders evoked the sacrifices of those who had fallen.

In Yogyakarta, which had become the de facto capital of the republic following the escalating tensions in Jakarta, the commemorations were particularly spirited. Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX, who had pledged allegiance to the republic, played a crucial role in providing both symbolic and logistical support. Traditional Javanese processions intertwined with nationalist speeches. The blending of indigenous culture with the political aspirations of a new nation formed a powerful narrative: that Indonesia's identity was rooted in both past and future.

Despite severe resource constraints, radio broadcasts from Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) managed to connect isolated regions with the spirit of celebration. The broadcasts included readings of the 1945 proclamation, patriotic songs, and commentary urging unity. For many listeners in remote areas, it was the first time they heard their new country articulated through a national medium. These broadcasts reinforced a sense of belonging and national consciousness, a key element in a nation still fragmented by geography and colonial legacies.

Schools and youth organisations took centre stage in many ceremonies. The Indonesian youth, who had played critical roles during the revolutionary period, were tasked with organising flag-raising ceremonies, parades, and poetry recitals. In several cases, these events were held in secret due to fear of reprisals from occupying Allied or Dutch forces. Yet the fervour of the young generation proved difficult to suppress. The national anthem, "Indonesia Raya," rang out boldly, even in areas where the red and white flag was still forbidden.

Not all regions celebrated freely. In parts of Kalimantan, the Moluccas, and eastern Indonesia where Dutch influence had reasserted itself, public commemorations were discouraged or outright banned. Yet the spirit of independence found quieter expression through prayers in mosques and churches, small family gatherings, or coded messages in local newspapers. The determination to honour the republic transcended obstacles.

For the leaders of the fledgling nation, the first anniversary was not only about reflection but also about consolidation. A year into independence, the republic faced not only external military pressures but also internal challenges. Administrative systems were embryonic. Food shortages persisted. Political factions debated the shape of the future state. Yet on this day, for a few hours, those concerns were eclipsed by shared pride.

Foreign observers, particularly from India and Egypt, who were themselves in the throes of anti-colonial struggles, took note. Delegations sent greetings, and in some cases, Indonesian representatives abroad hosted modest gatherings in embassies and consulates-in-exile. These gestures strengthened Indonesia's international profile and built solidarity among emerging nations resisting imperial rule.

The memory of that first celebration has endured not because of its spectacle, but because of its sincerity. It reflected a people emerging from centuries of subjugation and conflict, daring to imagine their own future. The energy that pulsed through rice fields, kampung alleyways, and urban centres in August 1946 was not only nationalistic, but profoundly human. It was the energy of a people reclaiming agency, however precarious.

Decades later, as Indonesian Independence Day is marked with elaborate parades and televised addresses, the understated dignity of the first anniversary serves as a quiet reminder. It underscores that independence was not a moment, but a process. And that its earliest celebrations, humble as they were, carried the weight of a nation's rebirth.

In remembering that day, one glimpses the emotional geography of a young republic, defined not by its borders or armies, but by the will of its people to be free, to be heard, and to belong to a country of their own making.

As Indonesia prepares to mark another year of freedom in 2025, the echoes of that inaugural celebration remain instructive. They remind us that the journey of a nation is not built on ceremonies alone, but on the collective resolve to honour its ideals. May this Independence Day rekindle the same spirit of solidarity, courage, and hope that carried the republic through its uncertain beginnings. Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan ke-80, Indonesia. May your light continue to shine brighter with each passing year.