SLC33-W5: My Community, My Story – Festivals, Culture & Traditions

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Disclaimer: To avoid errors in translation, I have used DeepL. This is important to ensure that what I convey is in line with the intended purpose and meaning.

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Hard work and determination are like embarking on a journey; as for whether you’ll reach your destination, only time will tell.

Hello everyone, best wishes to us all. Please allow me to take part in this Week 5 competition; I hope that what I’ve written will be both interesting and informative for readers.

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Foreword

In Indonesia, Independence Day celebrations are not just about parades and other ceremonial events. As soon as August begins, all sorts of activities take place in various locations. In fact, a week before Independence Day, various community traditions are already underway.

One such place is the school where I work as a teacher. Every year, competitions are held for all pupils, with the theme of independence. This reflects a sense of togetherness and joy, including within the school community.

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Atmosphere

I was putting up the flag as part of decorating the school for Independence Day

As August begins, all government buildings and public service facilities start to be decorated in red and white. This reflects the colours of the Indonesian flag, which symbolises the nation’s identity.

At my school, the gates and fences are being decorated with flags. Put up at the start of August, this indirectly fosters a sense of nationalism, whilst also fulfilling the legal obligations set out by the government.

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Venue

👉🏻https://maps.app.goo.gl/L8rgHFodpYxhCJp1A
👉🏻[//]:# (!steematlas 5.18712564 lat 97.14814067 long d3scr)

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Independence Day Celebrations

In an effort to foster a sense of nationalism across all sections of society, this spirit of togetherness and joy has taken the form of competitions. This activity has become a tradition that has continued from the dawn of independence in 1945 to the present day.

Building on this tradition, various competitions have been organised as a way for the school community to celebrate independence, including the one we held at MIN 4 in Lhokseumawe.

The excitement of today’s competition, 13 August 2026

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Competition

Over the next three days, leading up to 17 August 2026, the school will be organising a variety of competitions. These competitions vary and can be tailored to suit preferences, whilst remaining true to the traditions of the annual events. On this first day, for instance, the school is holding the ‘Ranking One’ competition.

The race for the top spot

The connection between the ‘Ranking One’ competition and Indonesia’s Independence Day celebrations lies in its role as a creative educational tool to foster a spirit of nationalism and a sense of national identity amidst the festivities of 17 August.

I’m having my photo taken with the contestants

In this competition, all pupils, grouped by year group, compete to be the last one to answer a question correctly, ultimately becoming the winner.

All the questions in the ‘Ranking One’ competition revolve around themes of independence. The outcome is not merely about whether an answer is right or wrong, but also serves to broaden the pupils’ knowledge and foster a sense of patriotism within them.

Every year, all the pupils are very excited and happy as they look forward to the competitions held to mark Independence Day. They look forward not only to the ‘Ranking One’ competition, but also to the other competitions.

The enthusiasm of the competition participants

The winners of each competition will receive their prizes on Indonesia’s Independence Day, as a token of appreciation for the participants’ contribution to the celebrations marking Indonesia’s Independence Day.

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The Value of Tradition

These competitions take place throughout August, particularly in the run-up to 17 August each year. This tradition instils many values in the community and the younger generation.

It fosters a spirit of mutual cooperation and solidarity amongst citizens, as during these times people can come together, help one another and work together to ensure the success of the events.

The spirit of nationalism

Differences in age, individual abilities, or background do not prevent people from taking part and sharing in the joy together. The festive atmosphere of the competitions also serves as a simple way to strengthen bonds and maintain unity within the community.

On the other hand, this tradition also instils sportsmanship, a fighting spirit and the values of perseverance. Every participant can also learn to accept victory with humility and defeat with grace.

Ultimately, the races held every August to mark Indonesia’s Independence Day serve as an expression of nationalism: commemorating the heroes’ struggles and giving meaning to independence through togetherness, joy and the spirit to keep moving forward.

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I hope that my participation in this competition will provide some insight and information into the unique aspects and a small glimpse of the festivities surrounding the Republic of Indonesia’s anniversary celebrations.

I invite @radjsalman, @alee75 and @heriadi to take part. My warmest regards to you all.