Independence Day celebration in Indonesia this year took on a special meaning under President Prabowo Subianto’s leadership. The State Palace invited 60 small business vendors to provide food and drinks for the public, with all their goods purchased by the Palace. Vendors like Wahyu, selling traditional kue apem cakes, and an es doger vendor were overwhelmed with gratitude and joy for the opportunity to participate in such a grand event. This year’s celebration symbolized a new era of openness at the Palace, where officials, citizens, and street vendors all came together in unity. Visitors were impressed by the Palace’s accessibility and the balance struck by the Presidential Security Forces between safety and hospitality. The event showcased not only a people’s festival but also a spirit of shared space and community under President Prabowo’s administration.
Small Vendors’ Taste of Freedom: From Apem Cakes to Es Doger
