Over the past days the Moluks Historisch Museum has received various questions about the use of material from the MHM collection for the project De Reizende Tentoonstelling by Media Luna. Mostly questions from Moluccan families who have lent material to our foundation in recent years or donated material to it.
The collection is the MHM's right to exist
The collection is the organisation's right to exist. We at the MHM deeply regret that the collection is being cast in a negative light in this way. Through the media and various signals we have learned that material from the collection may have been used for the project De Reizende Tentoonstelling. In response to the concerns of various families we would therefore like to provide clarity.
No permission for the material
In principle it is always possible to use the MHM collection. A user fee applies for this because of copyright. Rates apply for reproducing and printing material. This always happens in consultation with the MHM. The MHM has not given explicit permission for the use of material from the MHM collection. We disapprove of other parties using MHM images without our permission. This goes against art. 23 of the Dutch Copyright Act (AW). We regret the course of events, in particular for the families who have donated (visual) material and for everyone in whom the suggestion has been raised that the MHM is contributing to the project 'De Reizende Tentoonstelling'. After further investigation the MHM will approach the organisation and take further steps.
No question of collaboration
In a joint statement on 10 September, the MHM and the Landelijk Moluks Monument foundation declared that they are in no way involved in the projects De Reizende Tentoonstelling and the Renewed Arrival on 7 October 2021. Despite that statement, at the information meeting on Monday 13 September 2021 Media Luna again stated that there is a collaboration with the MHM. The MHM emphasises that neither the MHM nor its staff are in any way involved in De Reizende Tentoonstelling or in Media Luna's Moluccan commemoration on 7 October.
We trust that in this way we provide clarity to all donors, partners, municipalities, acquaintances and friends and make clear that we are in no way involved in the activities of Media Luna and Stichting Peoples Media Foundation.
