16 May – The Celebration
The celebration took place at the Royal Norwegian Embassy on 16th of May. Ambassador Eivind S. Homme and his wife Charlotte welcomed the 250 guests.
Members of the Indonesian Government, NGOs, Private Sector, Academia and Media, the Diplomatic Corps and Multilateral Organizations, a range of Partners and Friends of the Embassy, were invited to celebrate Norway’s National Day. Among the Guests were Minister Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, the Presidents Advisor Hassan Wirajuda, Chairman of Apindo Sofyan Wanandi and Chairman of Kadin Suryo Sulisto.
With a marching band greeting the guests and a huge 17th of May Children’s Parade Painting made by the Jakarta Institute of Arts on display, plenty of Norwegian seafood and cakes, with the smoked salmon and sushi-station being very popular, as well as Indonesian food was served.
“It was a happy atmosphere of celebration,” writes the Royal Norwegian Embassy.
Ambassador Homme addressed the audience commemorating the history of the Norwegian Constitution highlighting that Norway has the world’s second oldest constitution still in use, constantly being revised to meet new demands regarding democracy and human rights. Mr. Homme also emphasized the strong ties between Indonesia and Norway, recently illustrated by the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Marty Natalegawa to Norway.
17 May National Day
The next day, on the 17th of May, the Constitution Day was again celebrated at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, attended by more than 70 guests; Norwegian families living and working in Indonesia.
Ambassador Homme gave a personal speech extending his thanks to the Norwegians for serving as their ambassador in Indonesia and Timor Leste.
“The Homme family rucksack is filled with wonderful memories from the past four years”, said the Ambassador.
He conveyed greetings from His Majesty King Harald and the Royal Family to all Norwegians and Friends of Norway in Indonesia and Timor Leste.
Traditional Norwegian food was served to the enthusiastic guests before they went on parading the neighborhood streets with the Jotun Marching Band, cheering and waving Norwegian flags.
This year’s 17th of May celebrations were arranged by the Nordic Club and the Embassy, with support from Statoil and Jotun. Sponsors for the 16th May event included Hoegh LNG Asia, Q-Free, Timur Ship Managment and the Norwegian Seafood Council.
Mr. Homme, celebrating his last Norwegian Constitution Day in Jakarta as Ambassador, expressed his deep gratitude for the cooperation, support and friendship extended to him and his family throughout their four years in Indonesia.
