Yogyakarta, IO – To commemorate the 2024 National Sovereignty Enforcement Day (HPKN), the Yogyakarta Special Region’s Culture Department organized a “Tirakatan” at the Serangan Umum 1 Maret (SU1M) Monument on Thursday, February 29, 2024. The Tirakatan featured several shows, including the Janur Kuning opera, depicting the SU 1 March 1949 historical attack.
A number of Sanggar Kancil Art dancers performed in the opera under the direction of Tri Anggoro. The Tirakatan event was funded by the DIY Provincial Special Fund and was followed by a wayang kulit (shadow puppet) show.
The event was attended by the higher ranks of DIY Provincial, including the Vice Governor of DIY, Sri Paduka Paku Alam X, a number of DIY Government’s regional officers (OPDs), invited dignitaries, and Yogya local communities. On the occasion, Paku Alam X had the honor to symbolically cut the tip top of the tumpeng to commemorate the 2024 HPKN.
The Secretary of the Yogyakarta Special Region’s Culture Department, Cahyo Widayat SH MSi, disclosed in his report that the attack on March 1, 1949, was a significant moment for the nation, in defending the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia following its independence on August 17, 1945.
“The event showed the world that Indonesia still existed and was resisting the colonizers. The SU 1 March attack opened the eyes of the world and supported Indonesia in maintaining its stance of independence,” he explained.
The 1st of March event became a significant point in the history of the Indonesian nation. Presidential Decree Number 2 of 2022 has designated March 1 as National Sovereignty Enforcement Day (HPKN) to commemorate the event.
As the region proposes the commemoration day, DIY states its commitment to continue educating the public on the nation’s history and commemorating it.
In 2023, the Yogyakarta Special Region government invited the governments of Bangka Belitung and West Sumatra to commemorate HPKN. DIY is planning to involve more provinces in Indonesia to jointly commemorate HPKN, including through a “Civilized Sovereignty Determines the Nation’s Future” tirakatan event.
“The tirakatan is held to sustain the nation’s unity and socialize KHPN as a means to support the country’s sovereignty,” he stated.
Vice Governor Paku Alam X also conveyed the governor’s speech on the March 1st attack on supporting and sustaining Indonesia’s independence.
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“If we carefully ponder the sequence of events, the March 1st attack did not only serve as a fight toward the colonizer but also a political statement that resonated globally, despite our President being held captive at that time. It was the country’s bold statement that our country persisted and our soldiers were fighting the colonizers,” explained Paku Alam.
The sovereignty of the country is expected to blend with Yogyakarta’s essential concept, “Hamemayu Hayuning Bawana (glorifying the world’s beauty) according to the communities; different roles to improve their welfare.
“Tirakatan is about surrendering to the Most High, seeking His grace to bless us on the nation’s right path,” he concluded. (des)