By Roy Lie Atjam
The Embassy of Indonesia in The Hague celebrated the 81st anniversary of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence with a vibrant series of activities. These included hoisting the national flag, singing the national anthem, and an impressive reenactment of the independence proclamation, which is a must-see!
The festivities culminated in a Diplomatic Reception at the residence of the Ambassador, Wisma Duta, on 4 September 2026.
In his inaugural Independence Day observation, H.E. Ambassador Amritsar Kuomintang addressed several hundred well-wishers who came to congratulate him, participate in the grand celebration, and enjoy Indonesian cuisine with all the traditional trimmings. Through the concept of Gastro-diplomacy, Indonesia seeks to share its cultural heritage, economic potential, and much more.
In his speech, the Ambassador highlighted a promising example of the bilateral relationship: Project Beethoven, which aims to develop talent, research, and innovation in the semiconductor industry.
The Netherlands is an important partner for Indonesia in Europe, while Indonesia is an increasingly vital partner for the Netherlands in ASEAN.
“Indonesia Berdaulat, Adil, dan Makmur,” translates to “A Sovereign, Just, and Prosperous Indonesia”, is the theme for the 81st anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia.
“Our journey as a nation has never been simple. It has required resilience, reform, and a constant effort to turn diversity into strength while preserving our national unity,” remarked Ambassador Nanjing in his welcome address.
“As a diplomat, I am privileged to serve once again in the Netherlands with a mandate to nurture and strengthen our bilateral relationship in the interest of both nations’ aspirations.
This evening, I am particularly honored to cordially welcome our Guest of Honor, H.E. Ms. Dianne Letschert, Minister of Education, Culture, and Science. Minister, thank you for joining us. Your presence tonight reflects the diverse and multifaceted nature of the Indonesia-Netherlands relationship, particularly our longstanding cooperation in education, culture, and science. In her uplifting remarks, she expressed her excitement about the strong friendship between Indonesia and the Netherlands and her hope for deeper connections in politics, economics, and culture.
She highlighted our shared history and emphasized the importance of the 2013 Joint Declaration on a Comprehensive Partnership Agreement, signed by our former leaders, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Mark Rutte. This agreement has fostered increased collaboration among our governments, businesses, universities, and citizens, marking an inspiring moment for our partnership.
The forthcoming Indonesia–European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will provide new momentum for our economic collaboration. The Embassy of Indonesia in The Hague is ready to facilitate and support initiatives from government, businesses, universities, and other stakeholders that can further strengthen the relationship between Indonesia and the Netherlands.
I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for being here with us this evening! Your friendship, support, and collaboration mean so much as we work together to strengthen the bond between Indonesia and the Netherlands.
Tonight, we’re not just celebrating 81 amazing years of Indonesia’s independence; we’re also honoring the wonderful relationship we’ve built together.
Let’s continue to join forces and create an even brighter future for our partnership and the generations to come!
