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‘Repatriasi’: Reclaiming Indonesia’s heritage from the shadows of colonialism
The National Gallery of Indonesia is holding an exhibition until Sunday showcasing repatriated artifacts looted by the Dutch colonial power. The exhibition intends to show to the public how rich Indonesia is culturally, and that Indonesians could preserve such precious heirlooms.
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Exquisite beauty: The statue of Prajnaparamita is deemed as a great masterpiece due to the highly detailed and smooth sculpture on stone. (JP/Sylviana Hamdani)
The National Gallery of Indonesia’s façade has taken on a different guise, embellished with an opulent mahogany tent, signaling a momentous event unfolding on the premises.
This ephemeral transformation sets the stage for the eagerly anticipated Repatriasi: Kembalinya Saksi Bisu Peradaban Nusantara (Repatriation: Return of the Silent Witnesses of Indonesian Civilization) exhibition.
Beginning Nov. 27, Gedung A of the National Gallery has displayed historically prized artifacts repatriated from the Netherlands, inviting the public to witness the silent narrative of Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage and eventful colonial past.
After nearly two years of diplomatic dialogue between Indonesia and the Netherlands, an agreement was sealed in July at the Volkenkunde Museum in Leiden. It marked the return of over 400 historical objects to Indonesia in three waves from August to the end of this year.
Post-repatriation, these objects will find a new home in the National Museum, just across the National Monument (Monas) Square in Central Jakarta.
“Repatriation is not just a physical transfer of objects from a museum in the Netherlands to a museum in Indonesia,” Hilmar Farid, culture director general at the Education, Culture, Research and Technology ministry, wrote in the press release.
