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View all search resultsGovernment continues push for repatriation of artifacts from Europe
Culture Minister Fadli Zon announced this week that his ministry plans to send an official letter to the German government requesting the return of several historical objects originating from Indonesia, including artifacts connected to the Batak people of North Sumatra.
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An exhibit shows a Homo erectus reconstruction ('center') next to other Homo erectus fossil parts unearthed by Dutch geologist Eugene Dubois in Java in 1891 on display at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, the Netherlands, in this undated photo. (Courtesy of Naturalis Biodiversity Center/-)
F
ollowing the upcoming return of over 28,000 fossils from the Netherlands, the government is broadening its repatriation efforts to include artifacts currently held in Germany and other European countries, marking a significant step in Indonesia's campaign to reclaim its heritage from abroad.
Culture Minister Fadli Zon announced this week that his ministry plans to send an official letter to the German government requesting the return of several historical objects originating from Indonesia, including artifacts connected to the Batak people of North Sumatra.
“We hope to repatriate several Batak manuscripts, including those belonging to Sisingamangaraja, as well as his weapons,” said Fadli as quoted by Antara.
Fadli was referring to Patuan Bosar Ompu Pulo Batu Sinambela, better known as Sisingamangaraja XII, the Batak king who was killed in a battle against Dutch colonial forces in 1907 and later declared a national hero in 1961.
The announcement followed a meeting with German scholar and manuscript expert Ulrich Kozok, who expressed support for the initiative.
“Manuscripts are an extremely valuable part of our cultural heritage,” Kozok said. “I have been in contact with several foreign museums that are open to returning their collections, and I am willing to help facilitate this process”.
Read also: Return of ‘Java Man’ fossil hailed, may open door for more ancient human study
