Revitalizing Nationalism Through Commemoration Day of Historical Events

This paper aims to examine the dynamics of citizenship and identity formation through historical, social, and ideological-based model of commemorations day. Implementation of various activities to commemorate historical events or national days is often seen as a symbolic and serves as public ceremonial purposes only. This paper wants to criticize those pessimistic views. First, this article would probe the meaning of the commemoration of the national holiday. Then, it would explain various efforts implemented by the Government of Bandung City to preserve the values contained in the commemoration of national days. Through survey research, the results show that the commemoration form of activities conducted through the formal ceremony are still relevant and effective to disseminate, internalize, and institutionalize values and historical significance of the historical event. However, the commemoration days need to be enriched by socializing the local cultural and historical values behind the historical events.