Museum Maluku strengthens international collaboration after a working visit to the Moluccas
It is with great enthusiasm that I share my experiences and findings from my recent working visit to the beautiful Moluccas, which took place from 20 to 31 August 2023. As director of Museum Maluku, this trip was invaluable for realising our vision and policy goals for the near future. The journey not only brought us into contact with the rich culture and history of the Moluccas, but also strengthened our ties with important partners and opened the door to new collaborations that will shape the future of our museum.
Presentation of Museum Maluku during a seminar at Pattimura University, Ambon.
Aims of the trip
Ahead of the trip we had set clear goals aimed at expanding our network, strengthening collaborations and deepening our knowledge of the Moluccas. Here are the most important goals:
Expanding our network in the international Moluccan field One of our main goals was to expand our network within the international Moluccan field. We wanted to make contact with Moluccan researchers, heritage professionals, academics and grassroots organisations in order to enrich and deepen our work. We achieved that goal successfully.
Strengthening the collaboration with Museum Siwa Lima Another important goal was to strengthen our collaboration with Museum Siwa Lima, the provincial museum of the Moluccas. We strongly believe in sharing museum knowledge, conservation expertise and the exhibiting of Moluccan traditions. This goal was more than achieved and was confirmed on 17 September with a joint declaration of intent for further collaboration, in which the Drents Museum in Assen and Heka Leka Global are also involved.
Deepening knowledge about the Moluccas During our trip we wanted to gain insight into the renewed structure for electing village heads (upu latu/ina latu) and into the indigenous culture of the Moluccas. This knowledge is essential for developing our policy on indigenous Moluccan culture further. We spoke at length with various village heads from West Seram and Ambon island to deepen our understanding.
Important meetings and new contacts Our trip led to valuable meetings with key figures within the Moluccan community, both in Indonesia and in the Moluccas. Some of the important contacts we were able to add to our network include Ibu dr. ir. Insun Sangaji, head of Education and Culture for Maluku, Ibu prof. dr. Hermien Soselisa, professor at Pattimura University, and Bpk drs. Darwin Lawalata, director of Museum Siwa Lima.
Exchange with students and the community Another high point of the trip was the interaction with students and local communities. After my presentation about Museum Maluku at Pattimura University, many questions were asked, mainly about the lives of Moluccans in the Netherlands.
Collaboration and international exchange Our trip has contributed to strengthening this collaboration and has opened doors to further exchange and understanding between the two countries. With this, Museum Maluku as a Dutch heritage institution also meets the International Cultural Policy (ICB) as formulated by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.
In conversation with the head of the Education and Culture Service, Ibu Kadis dr. ir. Insun Sangaji.
A new path
The recent working visit to the Moluccas not only exceeded my aims for the trip, but also confirmed a crucial point that is vital for Museum Maluku. The emphasis on international collaboration and the sharing of heritage is not merely a desirable ambition; it is a way of working that has considerably strengthened our position as a heritage institution. Precisely in the Netherlands, where the definition of a museum stresses that collaboration with communities is essential, we have reached a milestone that should not be taken lightly.
Our involvement in the international seminar 'Malukuness from various perspectives' at Pattimura University enabled us not only to extend the boundaries of our knowledge, but also to contribute actively to the global discourse on Moluccan identity and heritage. By listening to a wide range of speakers and researchers, both with and without a Moluccan background, we have enriched our own perspectives and have been able to embrace a more inclusive approach in presenting Moluccan history and culture in our museum.
Presentation of Museum Maluku during the swearing-in ceremony of adat elders of West Seram at Kantor Latupati.
Moluccan museums connected
Strengthening our relations with Museum Siwa Lima has been invaluable, and it is worth noting that this official working visit was the first in the 35-year history of Museum Maluku. Our collaboration with this leading Moluccan museum will not only contribute to enriching our knowledge in the fields of exhibiting and conservation, but will also be a powerful example of how heritage institutions worldwide should work together to preserve and share the rich history of communities.
At a time when the world is ever more connected, it is essential that museums and heritage institutions are aware of their role in preserving and sharing cultural heritage, not only within their national borders but beyond them. This trip to the Moluccas has strengthened our sense that Museum Maluku is not merely a physical location, but a bridge between different cultures and communities, and a platform for sharing Moluccan history, art and traditions at a global level.
This working visit has not only realised our goals, but has further fed our vision for the future of Museum Maluku. We are determined to continue our mission, and we look forward to working with our new international partners to keep the rich Moluccan culture and history alive for the coming generations, both in the Netherlands and worldwide.
With great gratitude for your support and enthusiasm!
Henry Timisela Director of Museum Maluku
Tour by Ibu Mevie Mailoa, head of education at Museum Siwa Lima. A section about Moluccans in the Netherlands in the permanent exhibition.
