by Nurul Fitri Ramadhani
JAKARTA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Indonesians gathered in cities across the country as the clock struck midnight to welcome 2026, marking the New Year with reflection, unity and hope rather than the usual bursts of fireworks.
Jakarta and several other provinces in the Southeast Asian country chose to forgo fireworks in a deliberate and solemn gesture of national mourning for the victims of devastating flash floods and landslides that struck Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra provinces in late November 2025.
As of Thursday, the disasters had claimed 1,157 lives, with 165 people still missing, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. More than 7,000 people were injured, while close to 1 million were displaced. Many affected areas continue to face damaged infrastructure and limited access to aid.
In Jakarta, hundreds of thousands of people gathered around the iconic Hotel Indonesia roundabout (Bundaran HI) to welcome the New Year with live music, interfaith prayers, communal countdowns and drone light shows instead of fireworks.
The drones, choreographed to convey messages of hope and togetherness, formed meaningful patterns like "Jakarta for Sumatra" in the night sky, offering a modern alternative to fireworks and reinforcing the contemplative tone of the evening.
"This celebration reflects Jakarta's spirit of love and solidarity, especially for disaster-affected communities," Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said.
The Jakarta administration also worked with charities and banks to facilitate donations at event venues and through online platforms, raising more than 3.1 billion rupiahs (about 185,695 U.S. dollars) to support flood victims.
For many residents, the absence of fireworks did not dampen the festive atmosphere. "It was still fun even though there were no fireworks. It felt more meaningful," said Vanya, a 33-year-old resident of East Jakarta who attended the celebration at Bundaran HI.
In Ancol, a popular recreational area in North Jakarta, local authorities organized a 15-minute drone and laser show featuring messages such as "Pray for Sumatra." The performance drew cheers and applause from visiting families, demonstrating that celebrations could be both respectful and uplifting.
In Solo, Central Java province, residents welcomed the New Year by lighting candles and holding collective prayers, creating a sea of soft light in place of the usual colorful fireworks. "The celebration felt peaceful. It is better for us to think about those who are suffering and pray for their healing," a local resident was quoted by local media as saying.
On the resort island of Bali, annual fireworks displays were also canceled as a gesture of solidarity with victims in Sumatra. Major tourist areas including Kuta, Seminyak and Sanur replaced fireworks with candlelight vigils and traditional performances, prioritizing remembrance over spectacle.
Other regions, including Yogyakarta, East Java, West Java and Banten, similarly scaled back festivities. Authorities encouraged residents to opt for simple celebrations, charity events and moments of prayer. In many areas, concerts and music performances were used as platforms to raise funds for disaster relief and recovery.
Minister of State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi said the restrained New Year celebrations reflected a broader national purpose, namely to "show empathy and solidarity as a nation to those who are suffering from a disaster." ■
