Observe National Awakening Day in Bali - AsiaRooms.com

AsiaRooms.com reports the people of Indonesia observe Hari Kebangkitan Nasional, or National Awakening Day, every year on May 20th.

Travellers who have used hotels in Bali may be aware of the term national awakening, which is used to describe a period in the first half of the 20th century when Indonesian people began to develop a national consciousness.

Dutch colonial rule did not end in Indonesia until 1942, when the Japanese occupation began.

However, the May 20th date commemorates the founding of Budi Utomo, the first Indonesian political party, in 1908.

National Awakening Day is now a public holiday across the country, with government offices, schools and other official buildings holding events to mark the principles of Indonesian state philosophy.

A similar celebration observed in Bali and other parts of the country is Kartini Day, which remembers the birthday of national heroine Raden Ayu Kartini on April 21st.

Kartini was a pioneer of women's rights for native Indonesians and one of the figures who helped to promote ideas of national independence.

Visitors who are interested in this area of Indonesian history may like to visit the Museum of National Awakening in central Jakarta, which features information on the founding of Budi Utomo and the life of Kartini.