The Story of Coffee in Indonesia: From Colonial Commodity to Global Speciality Icon
Few countries are as deeply intertwined with coffee as Indonesia. Spread across more than 17,000 islands, the archipelago offers one...
history
Art, History, and Entertainment: Recharging the Batteries
Some time ago, I wrote an article lamenting the apparent decline in the pursuit of physical activities as entertainment. I...
The Traces of Hinduism in Minangkabau
Before the arrival of Islam, Minangkabau had been visited by Hindus and Buddhists. Many theories have been put forward by...
Looking into the Minangkabau Press
The crucial role of the press in shaping the history of Minangkabau is undeniable. Appearing on the historical stage in...
Indonesia’s Riches – Too Precious To Export
To the Europeans and before them the Arabs and Indians, the lure of the archipelago was resources and trade. That’s...
Top Historical and Art Museums in Jakarta
With all the novelty towering over this massive lively capital, Jakarta is as educational as it is entertaining. Countless museums...
Discovering Wonders of Jakarta through the Indonesian Heritage Society
Jakarta, previously also known as Batavia, is rich in history, culture, and heritage influences. A melting pot of various communities...
Art, History, and Entertainment: Changing Horizons
The past two-and-a-half years have thrown challenges that we never could have thought we would have to encounter. Most important,...
Allow Guardians at The Hermitage Jakarta Cater to You
Jakarta has surprising treats to tend your famished soul. Well, at least it does for me. I found myself back...
Indonesia Governors Bringing 1 Litre Water and One Jug of Land To Nusantara.
Governors from all 34 provinces in Indonesia will gather at the national capital city at Sepaku, East Kalimantan and take...
Splashing Out on Culture
Can history be used to coin cash in a country where citizens would rather tramp malls than museums and reckon...
How did Indonesia’s Economy Come Around?
Studying the Indonesian economy from a historical perspective is essential. A deep understanding of history is needed to support sustainable...
Kota Tua – A Stroll through Jakarta’s Historical Property
Jakarta is not just high-rise buildings and malls. The capital city is home to a multitude of grand buildings with...
Surabaya: A Journey Through Time
Have you ever wondered why Surabaya is nicknamed the City of Heroes? Well, here are two historical places in the...
Success in the Sky: The KLM Story (Part One)
The letters most commonly associated with the history of Dutch aviation are “K.L.M.,” which stand for Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij (“Royal...
The Role of Contemporary Art Museums in Indonesian Society
With the recent opening of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Jakarta, its Director Aaron Seeto reflects on...
The Dutch Pioneering Voyage to the East Indies
The last decade of the sixteenth century heralded the emergence of the Dutch as the colonial power that was to...
What the Temples of Indonesia Tell Us
We live in a vast archipelago nation alongside 129 active volcanoes. Traditional wooden houses in this region have withstood the...
Rockefeller and the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi
It was towards the end of my tour at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta when, in 1969, West Papua became...
Indonesia Through the Eyes of Rio Helmi
Best known for his large format photo books Memories of the Sacred (2011) and River of Gems (1991, with Lorne...
Indonesia’s old manuscripts are waiting to be deciphered
Mehamat Boru Karo Sekalu, a lady working in North Sumatra Museum reads an ancient book written in Batak letters, eloquently....