The Independence Day celebration in Indonesia this year, under President Prabowo Subianto, had a special touch to it. Around 60 small business vendors were invited to participate, with all their products bought by the State Palace to be served to guests, 80 percent of whom were members of the public. Wahyu, a traditional kue apem cakes street vendor, expressed his gratitude, hoping for more opportunities like this in the future. Another vendor, selling es doger, was thrilled to enter the State Palace for the first time, overwhelmed by the grandeur and festivity of the occasion. This year, the Palace invited 60 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to provide 30,000 portions of food and drinks free of charge to the public. The vendors were stationed at strategic points throughout the Palace, giving visitors an extraordinary experience up close. Attendees, like one with the Instagram handle @ijoeel, shared their excitement at being able to freely explore and capture moments at the usually restricted central courtyard of the Palace. This year’s celebration symbolized the new openness of the Palace under President Prabowo, where officials, citizens, and small vendors came together in unity.
Dari Apem Cakes ke Es Doger: Small Vendors Taste Freedom
