Home » The Netherlands Returns 288 Indonesian Artefacts: Public Viewing at the National Museum on October 15

The Netherlands Returns 288 Indonesian Artefacts: Public Viewing at the National Museum on October 15

Imelda R
10:00, 25 Sep 2024

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology has announced the return of 288 historical artefacts belonging to Indonesia from the Netherlands.

The return is an agenda agreed upon through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries in 2017. Later, the public will be able to see the artefacts in general at the National Museum of Indonesia.

The Director General of Culture, Hilmar Farid, explained that his party has compiled a series of special programs as a commitment to repatriation. The artefacts can be enjoyed, and there will also be a sustainable conservation and research process.

“We will prepare educational programs and interactive activities aimed at educating the public about the historical and cultural value of these artefacts,” Hilmar said, as reported by Antara.

The collection will be exhibited to the public at the National Museum of Indonesia on October 15, providing a unique opportunity for the public to learn about these artefacts’ historical and cultural value.

“This exhibition is not only an opportunity to see firsthand the historical artefacts that have returned to the country but also a place of learning and appreciation for Indonesia’s struggle and hard work in restoring its cultural heritage,” said Hilmar.

The repatriation of the 288 artefacts involved cooperation between the Indonesian government, in this case, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek), and the Dutch government.

It also included a provenance study. Provenance studies are intended to examine the source or origin in depth to ensure the authenticity of historical items.

List of 288 repatriated artefacts

The repatriated artefacts are diverse, including those from the Badung Puputan War collection. These were taken during the Dutch intervention in Bali in 1906.

In addition, there are historical statues from Singosari Temple in East Java. This collection includes one Ganesha statue, a Brahma statue, a Bhairawa statue, and a Nandi statue that was previously repatriated in the 2023 repatriation.

Find this article helpful? Check out our other articles from Social Expat for more News recommendations in Indonesia:

SEO Writer

Imelda is a content writer specializing in viral news and Indonesian culture. Her work revolves around researching and analyzing current events, social media trends, and popular culture.

Articles From The Author »

Viral: Bali Expat Running Community Accused of Discriminating Against Indonesian Participants

A running event organised by a community in Canggu, North Kuta District, Badung Regency, has come under public scrutiny after allegations of discrimination against Indonesian citizens (WNI) circulated widely on social media. The controversy emerged after screenshots of conversations between prospective participants and the organisers were shared online. The screenshots appeared to show that applications […]

Indonesia Eyes K-Pop Concert Tourism Packages to Boost Foreign Visitor Numbers

Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism is looking to tap into the growing popularity of K-Pop by developing concert-based travel packages designed to attract more international visitors while encouraging them to explore destinations beyond the concert venue. The initiative comes as Indonesia continues to strengthen its position as an international events destination, with large-scale concerts increasingly recognised […]

Chinese Tourist Found Dead at 23-Metre Depth After Snorkelling Incident off Kelor Island, Labuan Bajo

A Chinese tourist who went missing while snorkelling in the waters off Kelor Island, Labuan Bajo, was found dead at a depth of 23 metres after a joint search and rescue operation on Wednesday (15 July). The victim was one of two Chinese nationals who died during the incident. The victims were identified as Guo […]

10 Challenges Foreign Investors Face When Setting Up a Business in Indonesia

For foreign entrepreneurs, Indonesia remains one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling growth markets. The opportunity is clear. The process, however, is rarely simple. Between shifting regulations, licensing rules, local expectations, and the practical realities of doing business across a vast archipelago, setting up a company in Indonesia can take more planning than many investors expect. […]