Beirut: The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Beirut held a Flag-Raising Ceremony to commemorate the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia on Monday, 17 August 2026, at 8:00 a.m. local time. The solemn ceremony featured personnel of the Indonesian Garuda Contingent (KonGa) serving as ceremony officers and was attended by members of the Indonesian community from across Lebanon.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to Lebanon, H.E. Dicky Komar, presided over the ceremony and led the commemoration of the raising of the Indonesian national flag, the Red and White. The participation of the Embassy, the Garuda Contingent, Indonesian students, and various members of the Indonesian community reflected the strong spirit of unity and togetherness among Indonesians in Lebanon in commemorating this historic day for the nation.
On this occasion, Ambassador Dicky Komar also presented Cultural Ambassador Medals to personnel of the Garuda Contingent in recognition of their role not only as peacekeepers, but also as ambassadors of Indonesian culture. Through various social and cultural activities, Indonesian peacekeepers have supported the promotion of Indonesian culture and fostering closer ties with communities across Lebanon.
Following the ceremony, the celebration shifted into a lively atmosphere with a series of traditional Independence Day fun games. Participants enthusiastically joined some of Indonesia's most beloved Independence Day competitions, including marble races, musical chairs, the traditional kerupuk (cracker) eating contest, and kait caping (hooking a conical hat worn on the head). A warm serving of mie ayam bakso (chicken noodles with meatballs) for breakfast added a familiar taste of home to the morning festivities.
The celebration continued with Panggung Gembira where the Ambassador of the Philippines and Charge d'Affaires of Malaysia also joined the event. Performances by members of the Embassy, Indonesian students, and Garuda Contingent personnel further enlivened the celebration, providing an opportunity for Indonesians in Lebanon to celebrate Independence Day in a warm spirit of friendship and togetherness.
The festivities were complemented by a communal lunch and gathering, where participants enjoyed a variety of traditional Indonesian dishes, including rendang, gulai tunjang, balado udang, and empal paru. Sharing familiar flavors from home added to the warm and festive atmosphere, bringing together Indonesians from different backgrounds across Lebanon in the spirit of kekeluargaan and togetherness.
The 81st Independence Day celebration in Beirut concluded with a flash mob involving members of the wider Indonesian community. The activity symbolized the solidarity and unity of Indonesians from diverse backgrounds across Lebanon, reaffirming that wherever they may be, their shared sense of national identity and love for Indonesia continue to bring them together.
Through the event, the Embassy of Indonesia in Beirut continues to foster a strong sense of national pride, solidarity, and togetherness among Indonesians in Lebanon, while paying tribute to the dedication of the Garuda Contingent, whose service and contribution to peace in Lebanon have continued to bring pride to Indonesia.