Indonesian Independence Day is an important occasion across the country, bringing communities together each August to celebrate Indonesia’s history, culture, and national spirit.
Last month, students and teachers at Sekolah Nusa Alam joined celebrations across Indonesia in marking this special occasion. Our school community came together for a day of traditional games, friendly competition, creativity, and plenty of fun.
As an international school in Lombok with students and families from many different backgrounds, occasions like Independence Day also provide an important opportunity to connect with the culture and traditions of the country we call home.
No Indonesian Independence Day celebration would be complete without lomba.
Students enthusiastically took part in a variety of games and challenges, cheering on their friends and doing their best to make it to the finish line.
One of the highlights was the iconic makan kerupuk competition, where students attempted to eat hanging crackers without using their hands. There were also energetic relay races and other team challenges that brought plenty of laughter to the day.
While there was certainly a competitive spirit, the celebrations were just as much about participation. Students encouraged one another, worked together, and enjoyed sharing traditions that generations of children across Indonesia have grown up with.
Creativity also had its place in the celebrations with a decorated bicycle parade.
Students transformed their bicycles with colourful red and white decorations inspired by the Indonesian flag before proudly riding them as part of the day’s activities. The parade brought even more colour and excitement to the celebration and gave students an opportunity to put their own creative touch on the festivities.
Across the school, red and white could be seen everywhere as students, teachers, and staff embraced the colours of Indonesia.
One of the things that made the day particularly special was seeing different parts of the Sekolah Nusa Alam community celebrating together.
Independence Day gave students across year levels an opportunity to step outside their usual classroom routines, spend time together, and experience Indonesian traditions first-hand.
Our teachers were not content to simply watch from the sidelines either. They joined the lomba themselves, bringing plenty of enthusiasm and proving that the friendly competition wasn’t only for the students.
These shared experiences are an important part of school life at SNA. They strengthen relationships between students and teachers and help create the sense of community that extends beyond everyday classroom learning.
At Sekolah Nusa Alam, being an international school in Lombok means giving our students a global education while remaining meaningfully connected to the community, culture, and country around us.
Celebrating Indonesian Independence Day is one way we can bring those two parts of our school identity together.
For Indonesian students, the day is an opportunity to celebrate an important part of their national identity and heritage. For our international students, it provides the chance to participate in local traditions, learn more about Indonesia, and better understand the culture of the place in which they live and learn.
Most importantly, everyone gets to celebrate together.
In 2026, Indonesia marked 81 years of independence, making this year’s celebrations another opportunity for our school community to recognise the country’s history while taking part in the traditions that make Independence Day such a special occasion.
Looking back on the day, what stands out most is the wonderful sense of community. There was competition, creativity, teamwork, and a great deal of laughter, but also an opportunity for our students to learn more about the meaning behind the celebration and share in an important Indonesian tradition together.
Thank you to our students, teachers, staff, and families who helped make this year’s Indonesian Independence Day celebration at Sekolah Nusa Alam such a memorable one.
Dirgahayu Republik Indonesia!
