REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono are scheduled to watch a cultural parade organized in Jakarta, on Monday, to celebrate the 69th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day. Several main roads, such as Medan Merdeka Barat, Medan Merdeka Selatan, and Medan Merdeka Utara, is opened from 2 pm to 5 pm local time for the parade.
The cultural parade called "United Indonesia" has been organized by the tourism and creative economy ministry. The parade was be held in areas surrounding Medan Merdeka streets and the presidential palace, starting at 2 pm local time, the ministry's Director General of Creative Economy Based on Arts and Culture Ahman Syah said recently.
Decorated cars and dance performances highlight the parade. The most creative participants of the cultural parade will be awarded by the ministry. They will be assessed by a jury whose members include singer and choreographer Denny Malik.
Indonesia declared its Independence on August 17, 1945, after being colonized by the Dutch for 350 years, and by Japan for some 3.5 years.