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What we cherish takes time
Sometimes I pause, just for a moment. Then I look back at what we have done these past months. And above all I feel this: gratitude. Because who would have thought that, with a small team of part-timers, we could do so much? Set so much in motion. Touch so many people. Not so long ago with our project Collections Connect, in which we brought young artists from Maluku into contact with Moluccan changemakers in the Netherlands. I pause at that for a moment.
Artists Daniël-Michel Saptenno from Rotterdam and Theodora Melsasail from the Moluccas in our archive in Rotterdam.
And then I look back. From the temporary exhibition RE:CAST at the start of the year to the preparations for a new exhibition in March 2026 – with love, vision and dedication we are building a museum that is more than just a space full of Moluccan things. It is a place of memory, of recognition, of connection.
I want to express my appreciation to our team. The people who – often behind the scenes – give their time, energy and craftsmanship to keep this museum alive. And to bring it to life. My thanks also go to the board, to the many volunteers in the archive in Rotterdam, and to everyone who does their bit – visibly or invisibly. Without you none of this would have been possible.
Many volunteers hard at work.
Our gratitude also goes to the donors. The people who entrust their treasures, stories and archives to us. From videotapes to personal bodies of work – every donation is carefully examined, described and digitised. That process takes time. Your patience in it is invaluable. We want to do justice to every item, to every story.
In our public-facing environment, too, a great deal of work is being done: opening up all the digital files, improving the search function and integrating thousands of records into our system demands both technical and human precision. So we ask for your understanding there as well.
Because yes – we work from two locations. In The Hague, where we exhibit periodically and have our offices in the Sophiahof, and in our depot in Rotterdam, where we dig for treasure, conserve, register and meet people.
The recordings of our vodcast Unboxing – Uitgepakte verhalen.
Between those two cities the work of Museum Maluku moves. And in that movement many beautiful moments have arisen. We were able to take part in events such as Cinema Maluku and the Symposium on the Dutch history of slavery in the Indian Ocean, we launched the vodcast Unboxing and we welcomed interested visitors to our depot. We worked with groups of older people from Moordrecht, Almelo and Wierden, among other places. We stood on stages and sat at tables. In conversation, in connection.
Our collaborations are growing too. I am glad to mention Bahasa Basudara, Museum Siwa Lima and Totaal Moluks – partners who walk with us in the search for shared heritage and a shared future.
What will the second half of this year bring? New steps, new plans. New collaborations that we will announce with care. But for now I mostly want to say: thank you. For your involvement, your support, your trust in what we do. And also: thank you for your patience.
We are a small organisation with big ambitions, spread across two locations. That sometimes means things take a little longer. But know this: every week, every day, work is being done with care and dedication.
We will keep you informed of new steps in the time ahead. More is coming – also in collaboration with others. After the summer holidays you can expect fine developments again.
Until then, and I wish you a wonderful summer.
Hormat, Henry Timisela
