Guest Lecture: Repatriation of Indonesian Cultural Heritage in the Netherlands with Bonnie Triyana
The Department of History, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Hasanuddin University, once again held a guest lecture featuring historian and journalist Bonnie Triyana, on the theme "Repatriation of Indonesian Cultural Heritage in the Netherlands." This event was held as part of the strengthening of learning in the History of Cultural Heritage course, attended by students of the Department of History.
Bonnie Triyana is known as a public historian active in disseminating history to a wider audience. She is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the popular history magazine Historia and is involved in various initiatives to preserve and mainstream history in the public sphere. Furthermore, she currently serves as a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), further strengthening her role in promoting policies related to culture and history at the national level.
In this guest lecture, Bonnie Triyana comprehensively discussed the historical and political dynamics behind the presence of various Indonesian cultural heritage collections currently housed in museums in the Netherlands. She explained that the process of relocating these artifacts cannot be separated from the context of colonialism, where cultural objects were taken in various circumstances, including scientific expeditions, transactions, and looting.
Furthermore, the discussion highlighted the growing repatriation efforts as part of a global awareness of the importance of historical justice. In this context, the Indonesian government, along with various international institutions, continues to encourage the return of these historical objects to Indonesia. Bonnie Triyana also emphasized that repatriation is not merely a matter of physically moving artifacts, but also concerns the restoration of collective memory, cultural identity, and sovereignty over the nation's history.
The activity was interactive, with students actively raising critical questions related to legal aspects, cultural diplomacy, and technical challenges in the repatriation process. This demonstrated the students' high enthusiasm for understanding contemporary issues related to the preservation and management of cultural heritage.
In addition to the guest lecture, Bonnie Triyana also had the opportunity to visit the History Laboratory of the Department of Historical Studies. This visit provided an additional space for dialogue between public history practitioners and the academic community, while also introducing various facilities and academic activities that support history learning within the department.
Through this guest lecture, it is hoped that students will not only gain theoretical understanding but also be able to see the relevance of the study of cultural heritage history in a global and contemporary context. This activity also serves as a space for academic reflection on the important role of the younger generation in preserving, caring for, and championing Indonesia's cultural heritage.