Youth Pledge Day: Surakarta Keraton hoists kilometer-long flag

The Keraton (Royal Palace) of the Surakarta Sunanate, on Monday, hoisted a kilometer-long Indonesian Red and White Flag to complement the commemorative ceremony of the 96th Youth Pledge Day.

Koes Moertiyah Wandansari, chair of the Surakarta Keraton Customs Council and inspector of the ceremony, remarked that the long national flag stretched along the Baluwarti area, where the royal palace sits.

Speaking in Solo, Central Java, Wandansari noted that her side involved school students as the flag bearers.

"Our main mission is to encourage people from younger generations to always protect the Red and White Flag because this flag is the symbol of the existence of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia," she pointed out.

She then stated that the commemorative activity also aims to deepen public understanding of Indonesia's rich national history.

In this regard, the member of the Surakarta Sunanate royalty highlighted the need for the people to understand that the Indonesian national flag draws inspiration from banners of similar colors used by the Surakarta Sunanate and Majapahit Kingdom.

"We would like to remind our nation, especially government officials and leaders, against forgetting our history," she stressed.

Wandansari also highlighted that today's Youth Pledge Day ceremony is the first for the keraton, noting that the royal palace plans to make the event an annual routine.

"God willing, (this ceremony) will be held every year in conjunction with the Indonesian Keraton Festival. We are planning to bring this flag to every ceremony and keraton festival," she remarked.

The Youth Pledge Day ceremony, centered at Surakarta Keraton's Kori Kamandungan Hall, drew participation from hundreds of students, Surakarta Sunanate royal servants, Solo municipal government officials, soldiers, and police officers.