By Carmen Prins
On 6 January of this year I walked into the building at Sophialaan 10 in The Hague for the first time. That day I got to know the Moluks Historisch Museum, and above all the collection housed there. I was sold straight away. In the library I saw many fine and remarkable books, and in the archive boxes lovely gems worth preserving. When a KNIL uniform was conjured out of a box somewhere I was almost in ecstasy. It was as if I were in a sweet shop. I was then asked whether I would like to volunteer to coordinate the volunteers who would be working in the library and the archive. I said yes immediately.
When a KNIL uniform was conjured out of a box somewhere I was almost in ecstasy.
Working for the MHM fits my interests and skills entirely. After studying Indonesian at Leiden University I worked as a sworn translator and as a teacher of Indonesian. For three seasons I travelled around Indonesia with groups as a tour leader. Sadly I have never visited the Moluccas.
More than fifteen years ago I changed career. After training in information services I went to work as an information specialist. First as an archive processor for the government and later as a library assistant and media analyst. I ended my working life at a media company where, together with my team of information professionals, I helped clients with their daily news provision from various media.
I do not have Moluccan roots. My Indonesian roots are grounded in Sumatra and I admit honestly that before January this year I had little knowledge of the Moluccan community. My grandmother used to live near the 'Ambonese' church in Lunteren. When my cousins and I played outside on Sunday mornings we saw the Moluccan churchgoers pass our playing field. For a long time that was the extent of my knowledge of Maluku and orang Maluku. Something that passed me by.
Carmen at work with volunteers (c) MHM 2020
Over the past months that has changed considerably. Working with the MHM collection and reading as much as possible by Moluccan writers and about the history has opened up a whole other world for me. A world of passion for and pride in Moluccan cultural heritage. A world full of connection, friendship and respect for one another. Since January a whole new world has opened up for me. It gives me great pleasure to help open up and manage Moluccan heritage. I am glad to help make the gems of the MHM collection available to a wide public. So that the generations after me can enjoy all that beauty too.
