The Jakarta Globe has made its own list of five events and cultural sites that might help spread a little cheer, or at the very least some adventure, on your holiday.
Museum Nasional
The Museum Nasional, or National Museum, is the oldest cultural storehouse in the country, established in 1869 by the Dutch colonial government.
It houses the country’s largest historical and cultural collection, with more than 141,000 items.
Most were collected from Indonesia’s own backyard, but there are also some items that were purchased from other countries.
John Guy, a curator of Southeast Asian art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, was at the museum recently taking pictures of Hindu-Buddhist sculptures.
“Museum Nasional is one of the best museums in Southeast Asia,” he said. “[It] has so many collections.”
The museum is also sometimes called the Elephant Museum because of the bronze elephant statue in front of the building, a gift from King Chulalongkom of Thailand in 1871.
Gereja Katedral
Located just across from the Masjid Istiqlal in Central Jakarta, the country’s largest mosque, Gereja Katedral is a grand Catholic house of worship.
The imposing neo-Gothic structure featuring twin spires was built in 1901 in honor of Saint Maria, reconstructed from an older church.
According to the cathedral’s 38-year-old priest, Justinus Sigit, the building’s vertical design differs from the wide construction of many of today’s churches and symbolizes the church’s efforts to reach upward toward the heavens.
He pointed out that, like other Catholic churches, the cathedral was full of symbols that play a critical role in Catholic theology.
“A lot of modern churches do not use many symbols anymore, and that’s a pity,” he said.
Hadi Wahyu, the cathedral’s 60-year-old caretaker, pointed to the structure’s two tall towers. The tower to the left is a 60-meter-high structure called the David Fortress Tower.
“This tower is a symbol of Saint Maria as the church’s guardian against the power of darkness,” Hadi said.
The Ivory Tower, located on the right, represents Saint Maria’s purity. “I don’t think there’s a church as beautiful as this one in Jakarta,” he said.
Inside the cathedral, rows of wooden pews can accommodate about 800 people.
On the walls are beautiful paintings by Dutch artist Theo Molkenboer depicting the story of Christ’s crucifixion.
The cathedral also houses a museum on the second floor, which displays objects related to the church’s history in Jakarta.
The collection includes several items from Pope Paul VI, who visited the cathedral in 1970, and Pope John Paul II, who visited Indonesia in 1989.
Museum Kebangkitan Nasional
Located in Central Jakarta, this museum focuses on the time in Indonesian history known as the National Awakening.
It is a one-stop source for learning how Budi Utomo, the first Indonesian political organization, and other early modern political parties were founded in Indonesia and the role they played in the country’s eventual independence from the Dutch.
“The celebration of National Awakening Day is still relevant to today’s world,” said Isnudi, director of collections and education at the museum.
Unlike many other museums in Jakarta, the National Awakening Museum is fairly well-preserved. Housed in a building that dates back to 1899, visitors to are transported back to an era when Dutch neoclassical architecture ruled the archipelago.
Large windows and doors, high ceilings and sturdy wooden furniture dominates the decor of the structure.
The collections are mostly displays of period photographs showing the struggle of early Indonesian activists, but the museum’s main attraction is the memorial room of Budi Utomo.
Inside the room are wooden chairs that were used by the activists during their meetings. You can also see a statue of Sutomo, a founding member of the group, and photos of students in discussion.
Museum Bank Mandiri
Museum Bank Mandiri, located in Kota Tua (Old Town) in North Jakarta, is a beautiful building consisting of white walls and monolithic pillars that houses an exhibition about the history of banking in Indonesia.
“[Museum Bank Mandiri] is the largest bank museum in Indonesia,” said Edi Dimyati, author of “An Adventurer’s Guide: 47 Museums of Jakarta.”
Run by government-owned Bank Mandiri, Edi said there are more than 31,000 items on display, including old counting machines, bank vaults, bank notes, paper money and coins.
In 2008, the management decided to offer the space as a community meeting point and let young people hold activities in the museum for free, in order to attract more visitors.
“What the museum gives us is extraordinary. I don’t think any other museum can give us the same thing,” said Suryadi, whose scouting troop uses the building for meetings.
Immanuel Church
Not far from Gereja Katedral is another historical church that’s worth a visit.
When the Immanuel Church was built in 1834 by the Dutch, it was originally named Williamskerk Church, in honor of King Willem I.
“This is probably the only historic building in Jakarta that’s still used for what it was built for in the past,” said 21-year-old Ben Matulapelwa, a member of the church’s congregation.
While parts of the church appear in need of renovation, Immanuel Church still retains some of its past glory.
Six monumental pillars stand in front of the entrance to the beautiful white church, which is capped by a dome. Inside is a circular tile floor, wood carvings on the stair railing and intricately carved yellow ornaments on the ceiling.
“I feel that there’s something special about this church that I don’t find in other churches,” said 18-year-old Peggy Klokke, a member of the church’s congregation.
There is also a large antique organ with more than 1,000 pipes that for years has been one of the church’s main attractions.
Built in 1843, the organ is still functional and is used on special occasions. “Many people come to the church just to see the organ,” Ben says.
Upcoming events
Afternoon Tea Discussion at Museum Nasional
‘Media’s Role in Our Culture Heading Toward the Year 2020’
With speakers Desi Anwar and Bambang Tanrejo
Dec. 17, from 3 p.m.
Free
Protestant Prayer and Choir at Immanuel Church
Dec. 24, from 5 p.m.
Open to the public
Catholic Mass and Choir at Gereja Katedral
Dec. 25, from 9 a.m.
Open to the public
Protestant Prayer and Choir at Immanuel Church
Dec. 24, from 5 p.m.
Open to the public
A New Year’s Eve at Nederlandsche Handel Matschppij Building at Museum Bank Mandiri
Museum tour and live music
Dec. 31, from 7 p.m.
Tickets:
Rp 100,000, includes food, drinks and a noisemaker
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