Marbles and jumping jacks: Why they were in Indonesia's Independence Day goodie bags

For the 81st Indonesian Independence Day ceremony held at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, goodie bags distributed to attendees included traditional children's games: marbles and jumping jacks.

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The meaning is actually so that we remember the things that have been our traditions, which have become our cultures.

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi explained that the inclusion of these traditional toys was a deliberate choice to evoke memories of Indonesia's cultural heritage. "The meaning is actually so that we remember the things that have been our traditions, which have become our cultures," Prasetyo said at the palace grounds.

He further elaborated that the concept for this year's Independence Day celebration focused on showcasing Indonesian culture and arts. "Indeed, from the beginning, we, as the chairman of the central committee for the anniversary celebration, along with the Committee Chairman, have conceptualized the anniversary commemoration event to feature more of the cultures and arts that we possess," he stated.

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Indeed, from the beginning, we, as the chairman of the central committee for the anniversary celebration, along with the Committee Chairman, have conceptualized the anniversary commemoration event to feature more of the cultures and arts that we possess.

Prasetyo emphasized that this approach also aims to preserve these traditions for future generations. "Solely to preserve all our traditions and pass them on to future generations," he added. Beyond the traditional games, the white and red-themed goodie bags also contained a book titled "Presidential Solutions," a notebook, a fan, a mug, a hat, a t-shirt, a towel, a coaster, and a cardholder, all bearing Indonesian symbols.

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Solely to preserve all our traditions and pass them on to future generations.