Indonesian National Museum Reopened October 15, 2024

The process of moving statues is one of the revitalization stages of the Indonesian National Museum. BETWEEN THE ANTARA/HO-Indonesian Heritage Agency

JAKARTA - One year after the fire, the National Museum of Indonesia will reopen to the public on October 15, 2024.

"We are not only improving the physical buildings and saving collections, but also reimaginating how this museum can play a bigger role for the community," said Acting Head of the Indonesian Heritage Agency (IHA) under the auspices of the Directorate General of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Ahmad Mahendra in Jakarta, Tuesday, September 17, confiscated by Antara.

The Indonesian National Museum was hit by a fire that scorched six rooms behind building A on September 16, 2023, so that the Ministry of Education and Culture through IHA continued to revitalize by involving various comprehensive handling steps, starting from data collection on the impact of damage to buildings and collections.

"This revitalization is not just an infrastructure improvement, but an in-depth transformation, both physically and conceptually, which presents museums as interactive spaces so that they can be relevant to modern public needs," Mahendra said.

Mahendra explained that the entire revitalization process was carried out in parallel with scanning and documentation to ensure accurate conservation. Assistance from the Cultural Heritage Expert Team and the Restoration Expert Team, UNESCO, and other international experts also strengthened revitalization measures, accompanied by a series of discussions of the most popular groups conducted intensively with experts.

Several teams of experts involved are from within and outside the country such as a team of cultural heritage experts, a team of restoration experts, as well as the vision of international partners such as Japan, France, the Netherlands and America to ensure the feasibility and planning of holistic revitalization.

The revitalization of the National Museum of Indonesia also includes a conceptual transformation through the concept of cultural heritage reimagination consisting of three main pillars, namely reprogramming, redesigning, and reinvigorating.

"The Indonesian National Museum is expected to be more than just an exhibition room and become a center of social interaction and education for the community," said Mahendra.

He emphasized that the museum's security system has also been significantly improved, including the application of the latest technology to protect museum collections from future threats.

"The physical improvement of the museum also includes renovating exhibition rooms and improving visitor facilities, creating a safer and more comfortable environment," he said.

Meanwhile, the person in charge of the Indonesian National Museum Unit, Ni Luh Putu Chandra Dewi, said that the fire that hit the museum last year was an important lesson to revitalize the museum into a space that remains relevant to the needs of the nation's young generation in the future.

Last year's fire was indeed a big challenge for us, but it was also a moment to strengthen our commitment to preserving and reintroducing Indonesia's cultural wealth. This revitalization is a sustainable effort to ensure the Indonesian National Museum remains a relevant and inspiring space for future generations," he said.

Chandra stated that IHA's commitment to reviving the National Museum of Indonesia also includes sustainable innovation, both in terms of educational programs and exhibitions, so that museums will continue to develop by introducing new programs that utilize technology and adapt to the needs of visitors in the modern era.

"The ImersiveA room and a series of new exhibition programs that combine digital and physical elements will provide a fresh perspective on Indonesian history and culture, creating a space that inspires cross-cultural dialogue and social engagement," he said.