72nd Indonesian Independence Day community outing

72nd Indonesian Independence Day Community Outing

Boston / August 19, 2017 - Indonesians in New England celebrated Indonesian Independence Day at Arsenal Park, Watertown MA. Hundreds of fellow Indonesians from across New England came together in unity for a day full of fun and laughter.

The event was a true reflection of a solid community work. Among too many people to thank behind the success of the event, our deepest gratitude goes to Olla Chas, Rizki Setia, Elvina Muzdhalifah, Satyawidya Wulansari, Yogi, Yana Regan, Sukidi, Uum Humaerah, Dania Dhanni Setyaning, Hakim, Adrian, Agus Lele, Anis Ajus, Lia Gani Heryudono, Alfa, Jaffa, Adiva, Hanna, Micita Mahoney, Sean, Roy Godlieb, Mahatma Gusti Ayu, Bagus Trihatmaja, Lia Tang dan Echa Megawaty.

Here is for a better, stronger and more connected community. Together, WE CAN!

 

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SIARAN PERS

Peringatan Hari Kemerdekaan RI ke-72

Perkuat Persatuan dan Semangat Nasionalisme Indonesia di Boston, Amerika

Boston, 19 Agustus 2017 – Semangat dan ekspresi nasionalisme ditunjukkan oleh warga Indonesia di Boston, Amerika. Hal itu terefleksikan dalam dua kegiatan besar yang diselenggarakan oleh Indonesian Community of New England, Inc. (ICONE): pertama, diskusi akademis bersama Sandiaga Uno, Wakil Gubernur terpilih DKI Jakarta di Harvard Medical School, pada Kamis, 17 Agustus, 2017, dan kedua, perayaan kemerdekaan RI yang ke-72 di Watertown Park di Boston, pada Sabtu, 19 Agustus 2017.

Dalam sambutannya di Universitas Harvard, Sandiaga menegaskan bahwa diskusi kebangsaan RI ini merupakan pertukaran ide dan wacana untuk meneguhkan rasa cinta tanah air dan semangat nasionalisme di kalangan warga diaspora Indonesia di Amerika. “Berpikir, berimajinasi, dan berkarya untuk Indonesia adalah suatu hal yang melekat pada warga diaspora Indonesia di Amerika. Tanda bakti Indonesia dapat dilakukan oleh setiap warga Indonesia, baik di luar maupun di dalam negeri. Semua itu menjadi modal sosial dan intelektual untuk membangun Indonesia dengan membentuk jaringan internasional dan kerja sama yang kuat antara Indonesia dan Amerika”, ujar Sandiaga di depan mahasiswa dan profesional Indonesia di Boston. Dalam mengenang kembali pemikiran founding fathers kita, Sandiaga menitikberatkan aspek persatuan di tengah kebhinnekaan bangsa Indonesia (unity in diversity). Persatuan dan titik persamaan inilah, menurutnya, yang perlu dijadikan common platform dalam membangun masa depan Indonesia yang lebih demokratis, adil, dan sejahtera.

Pada perayaan hari kemerdekaan RI ke-72 di Arsenal Park, Boston, Olla Chas, Co-founder & President ICONE, Inc., sebuah organisasi nirlaba yang menaungi beragam kegiatan kemasyarakatan Indonesia-Amerika, menegaskan kembali tentang pentingnya persatuan di antara warga Indonesia yang berbeda suku, agama, dan golongan dari berbagai kota di kawasan New England. “Warga diaspora Indonesia di New England adalah miniatur kecil dari kebhinekaan Indonesia. Sebagai perantau yg berasal dari berbagai macam latar belakang, masyarakat Indonesia disini hendaknya selalu dapat kompak, bersatu padu demi kebaikan bersama, bangsa dan negara. Bersatu dalam perbedaan, dalam kebhinekaan”, himbau Olla didepan lebih lebih kurang 350 peserta perayaan kemerdekaan RI yang datang dari segala pelosok kawasan New England, yaitu 6 negara bagian pantai timur Amerika Serikat yang terdiri dari Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine dan Vermont. “Mari terus bersama2 melakukan banyak hal positif yg tidak hanya bermanfaat bagi kita perorangan, keluarga dan teman2 terdekat, namun juga yang dapat menambah nilai harkat dan martabat bangsa dan posisi kita disini sebagai komunitas yang terhormat, produktif, kreatif serta bisa memberikan nilai tambah (added-values) kepada komunitas setempat”, tambah Olla.

Pembacaan teks Proklamasi, Pancasila dan pelantunan lagu Indonesia Raya dilaksanakan dengan penuh khidmat oleh seluruh masyarakat Indonesia dan mahasiswa yang hadir. Kemeriahan acara 17-an dilengkapi dengan santap bersama kuliner khas Indonesia dan perlombaan beragam permainan tradisional seperti balap karung, tarik tambang, lomba bakiak, lomba makan kerupuk dan sepak bola yang dinikmati tidak hanya oleh masyarakat Indonesia namun juga oleh masyarakat setempat Amerika. Para warga yang memiliki bakat khusus dalam bermusik dan seni tari juga dengan handal menyuguhkan hiburan yang menarik bagi para pengunjung yang rindu akan lagu-lagu populer dan tarian tradisional Indonesia.

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Check out also: ICONE in the News

Indonesians in New England Celebrated the 71st Indonesian Independence Day

Watertown, 08/27/2016 - Around 350 Indonesians from across New England congregated and celebrated the 71st Indonesian Independence Day at Arsenal Park, Watertown, MA. Held with the theme of "Unity in Diversity", the celebration brought forward the spirit of community and patriotism amongst those participated.

After the solemn procession of Indonesian proclamation and the singing of Indonesian's national anthem, Indonesia Raya, by all participants, the celebration continued with various fun games for both children and adults that have become a tradition in a community celebration such as this back home. Among many games, two new traditional games, the bakiak (long clog) game and the soccer match with sarong, were introduced for the first time to the participants (including to those non-Indonesians). Abundant Indonesian food and beverages such as the sticky rice in curry and vegetable sauce (lontong sayur), cendol, beef rendang, gado-gado, martabak, spicy boiled eggs, sautéed prawns and many more were also available and became part of the main attractions for those who came and looking for some taste of true Indonesian home cooking. Music and dance performances were presented by volunteers such as the Indonesian Rhode Island Band and a couple of traditional dancers. In addition to the main event, as part of the fundraising efforts, ICONE also opened a charity sales booth with ethnic accessories and fashions from Indonesia to purchase.

End-of-year gathering & farewell for Indonesian Consul General

Boston, 12/8/2015 - It's that time of year again to celebrate the holiday seasons with friends, food and fun. ICONE, in collaborations with Permias Massachusetts and supported by Indonesian Consulate of New York, held a night of togetherness among friends and families of Indonesian community in Massachusetts. The event was also served as a farewell tribute to the beloved Indonesian Consul General, Bapak Ghafur and Ibu Endah Dharmaputra. Thank you all to those who have come and participated to make the evening a memorable one.

Wishing you all happy holidays and see you back in 2016 with more community empowerment programs!

 

70th Independence Day celebration

Watertown, 08/29/2015 - On August 29th, 2015, ICONE coordinated and celebrated the 70th Indonesian Independence Day at Filippo Park, Watertown, MA. Indonesians from all over New England came to celebrate this much anticipated event with friends and family. As a tradition, attendees participated in various fun games that are long-time associated with Indonesian Independence Day celebration and treated their taste buds with the scrumptious options of Indonesian food and beverages. Traditional games such as lompat karung, lomba makan kerupuk, bottle and needle challenge, etc. were just some of the hit games of the day. Abundant Indonesian food and beverages such as beef rendang, gado-gado, martabak, spicy boiled eggs, sautéed prawns and many more were also available and became part of the main attractions for those who came. In addition to the main event, as part of the fundraising efforts, ICONE also opened a charity sales booth for people to buy all sorts of ethnic accessories and fashions from Indonesia.
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Indonesian Community of New England, Inc.