Edited by Anna Popper
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI Budapest) hosted a public Bazaar and Cultural Celebration in its beautifully decorated garden on 22 August 2026 to mark the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia.
The occasion, also known as Pesta Rakyat (People’s Festival), brought together members of the Indonesian community, Hungarian friends of Indonesia, and the wider public in a festive atmosphere of friendship, cultural exchange, and togetherness.
The event was opened by Her Excellency Penny Herasati, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Hungary.
The celebration began with a lively bazaar offering a variety of Indonesian food, handicrafts, and products. It provided a platform to showcase Indonesia’s rich culinary traditions and creativity, while giving Hungarian and international visitors the chance to discover and experience the flavours and cultural heritage of the Indonesian archipelago.
The Ambassador also visited the various bazaar booths, taking the opportunity to meet and interact with members of the Indonesian community and participants.
The festive programme continued with a series of traditional Indonesian games for children, teenagers, and adults. Popular games such as marble racing, the pencil-and-bottle challenge, cracker-eating contests, sack races, and wooden-clog races created an atmosphere of excitement, laughter, and friendly competition.
Beyond their entertainment value, the games offered different generations the chance to interact and strengthened the sense of community among Indonesians living in Hungary. The Indonesian community in Hungary is diverse and active, comprising around 1,400 Indonesian nationals, including approximately 400 students. Educational and cultural exchanges also play an important role in strengthening people-to-people relations between Indonesia and Hungary.
Among the guests were Hungarian alumni of the Darmasiswa RI Scholarship Programme, which provides international students the opportunity to study Indonesian language, art, and culture. Since the program’s launch in Hungary, around 400 Hungarian students have participated, many of whom have become cultural ambassadors, helping to deepen understanding and appreciation of Indonesia in Hungary. In 2026, two Hungarian scholarship recipients are taking part in the programme in Bali.
A Celebration of Indonesian Culture
The organisers had prepared a diverse programme of traditional Indonesian arts and performances, beginning with the Mojang Priangan Dance.
This was followed by an Angklung performance featuring a large group of musicians on stage. The angklung, a traditional Indonesian musical instrument made of bamboo, holds an important place in the country’s musical culture. In 2010, UNESCO inscribed the Indonesian angklung on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising its cultural significance and encouraging its safeguarding, transmission, promotion, and continued craftsmanship.
The audience was particularly enchanted by the angklung performance of the Hungarian national anthem, delivered with remarkable precision – a challenging piece for any ensemble – followed by Elvis Presley’s evergreen “Can’t Help Falling in Love”.
The programme continued with Saman Dance, Rampak Kendang, traditional dances from Maluku, and a Pencak Silat demonstration, highlighting the extraordinary cultural diversity of the Indonesian archipelago and introducing the audience to artistic traditions originating from different regions of the country.
The bazaar also featured a special batik presentation by Christina Szabó, highlighting the beauty and cultural significance of Indonesian Batik, which was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
Alongside exhibiting her own batik works, she demonstrated the traditional techniques and creative process behind this distinctive Indonesian art form, offering visitors a fascinating insight into the craftsmanship, symbolism, and rich variety of motifs associated with batik. The presentation also reflected the growing appreciation of Indonesian folklore and traditions, as well as the developing cultural connections between the two countries through art.
Musical performances by Equalizer and Soroksari Band provided entertainment throughout the day. The artists had prepared extensively for the event, reflecting the spirit of participation, mutual support, and gotong royong, or collective effort – the Indonesian tradition of working together for a common purpose.
During the event, the winners of the traditional games were recognised, and numerous prizes were up for grabs for visitors. The festive day concluded with the announcement of the Best Bazaar Booth, recognising the creativity, enthusiasm, and dedication of the bazaar exhibitors.
In the Spirit of Community and Friendship
Cultural Day, Pesta Rakyat, was more than just a commemoration of Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day. It was also a vivid expression of unity, cooperation and togetherness among Indonesians living abroad.
The active involvement of community members in preparing and carrying out the event demonstrated that the spirit of independence continues to thrive within the Indonesian diaspora. The celebration brought together different generations and created a welcoming space where Indonesian traditions could be shared not only within the community, but also with Hungarian friends and the wider public.
Through initiatives like this, the Embassy of Indonesia in Budapest continues to foster a deeper understanding of Indonesia in Hungary through culture, cuisine, the arts, education, and people-to-people interaction. Programmes such as Darmasiswa, along with cultural events and community initiatives, contribute to strengthening mutual understanding and the bonds of friendship between Indonesia and Hungary.
As the celebration came to an end, its message extended far beyond the festivities of a single day: Indonesia’s independence is also reflected in solidarity, cooperation, community spirit, and positive contributions to society wherever Indonesians live.
Happy 81st Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia! United, Sovereign, Prosperous and Advanced Indonesia.
Source: Embassy of Indonesia in Budapest
