Invitation to join the Stichting Vrienden van Linggarjati and support the Linggajati Museum Project

The relationship between the people of Indonesia and the Netherlands developed through centuries of colonial times and has left deep impressions in the hearts of the people of the two nations. The governments of both countries have unfortunately taken the position that there no longer exists a special relationship other than normal friendly relations, as behooving relations between sovereign states.

This does not hold true however, for the people or for the many civilian organizations in the Netherlands as well as in Indonesia. The people of the two countries have had close historical ties that have left indelible marks in their hearts and minds. Nearly every Dutch family has some kind of close or distant relationship with Indonesia. The Dutch people that were born in Indonesia long for their country of birth and love and respect the Indonesian people. Based on these feelings of friendship, the Friends of Linggarjati Foundation was established in the Netherlands. Its aims are to give form and content to the feelings of friendship on the basis of mutual respect.

One of the concrete efforts of the Friends of Linggarjati Foundation is to help with the renovation, extension and maintenance of the Linggajati Museum. This museum is a historical site with a profound meaning. It was here that the official delegations from the Dutch and Indonesian sides, in mutual consultation, drew up a blueprint for an independent and sovereign State and People of Indonesia. Besides being an important moment in history, Linggarjati is the celebration of the spirit of dialogue, of reason and of goodwill, in a world where violence so often prevails. The renewal of this museum will be an important step in the process to make the younger Indonesian generation aware of the very important role of the diplomatic efforts in the Indonesian struggle for independence, a historical fact that has hitherto not been given its proper place in history.

The efforts by Forum Indonesia-Nederland (FINED) and the Dutch counterpart Stichting Vrienden van Linggarjati in this museum project have been granted official recognition and support by the Indonesian Department of Tourism and Culture, as well as by the Regional Government of Kuningan.

Other parties that are actively involved in this project are the Regional Government of Kuningan (that manages the museum) and International Fellows (INTERFEL). INTERFEL is an organization of young professionals who through FINED and their Dutch counterpart the former Forum Nederland-Indonesië which is now Stichting Nederland-Indonesia Conferentie (NIC), have received job training and internships in various fields at private organizations and government institutions in the Netherlands. INTERFEL is a social organization that channels communications amongst its members as well as communications with private and official organizations in the Netherlands. They seek to foster the ties of friendship between the two countries and its peoples.

We hope that visitors to this website will join this initiative and support the renovation, improvement and maintenance of the Linggajati Museum, thus providing an appropriate and honorable place for the facts of history and provide insight and understanding in the younger generations.

Click on “Contact” to add your name and email address as a “Friend of Linggarjati”. Thank you.