Bukittinggi, (ANTARA) - The Mayor of Bukittinggi, West Sumatra,\nRamlan Nurmatias, is strengthening international diplomatic networks\nwith the Netherlands and Germany to ensure the success of the 100th\nanniversary commemoration of the Jam Gadang in 2026.<\/p>\n
According to Ramlan Nurmatias in Bukittinggi on Friday, as part of\nreinforcing these historical ties, the Bukittinggi City Government has\nextended an invitation to representatives of Queen Wilhelmina\u2019s family\nto attend the peak of the Jam Gadang centenary celebration, given that\nthe clock tower was built as a gift from the Dutch Queen during the\ncolonial era.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the strategic steps is realised through a meeting with the\nDutch Ambassador to Indonesia, Marc Gerritsen, and the German Deputy\nAmbassador, which took place in Jakarta some time ago,\u201d Ramlan said.<\/p>\n
The meeting was facilitated and attended by representatives from the\nMinistry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia as part of city\ndiplomacy efforts to expand international cooperation in culture,\nhistory, and literacy.<\/p>\n
This meeting serves as a step to strengthen historical narratives and\npromote international tourism, considering the historical links of the\nJam Gadang with Europe, particularly its clock mechanism technology,\nwhich resembles that of Big Ben.<\/p>\n
In the dialogue with the Dutch side, discussions focused on\nreinforcing the historical aspects of the Jam Gadang\u2019s construction.<\/p>\n
In addition to being known as a work of local Minangkabau architects,\nthe building also holds international historical value, including the\nuse of clock machinery originating from Germany.<\/p>\n
To that end, the Bukittinggi City Government is encouraging\ncooperation to gain access to original archives and documents of the Jam\nGadang\u2019s construction from the 1925 and 1926 period, which are stored in\nthe Netherlands.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 100th anniversary of the Jam Gadang will not merely be a\nceremony, but packaged as a strategic moment to elevate Bukittinggi onto\nthe international stage through strengthened culture and literacy,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
One of the flagship agendas is the fourth International Minangkabau\nLiteracy Festival (IMLF), which will be held from 3 to 7 June 2026.<\/p>\n
This festival, he said, is designed as a global collaboration\nplatform, bringing together delegations from 40 countries.<\/p>\n
Several main activities that have been prepared include the\nInternational Seminar on Bukittinggi-Amsterdam Diplomacy, which reviews\nthe historical and cultural relations between the two regions.<\/p>\n
The International Seminar on Jam Gadang Architecture and Clock\nMechanism, discussing its technical uniqueness and cultural heritage\nvalue, as well as Jam Gadang Cultural events in the form of colossal\narts performances in the city\u2019s iconic area.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition, an exhibition of 100 photos tracing the history of the\nJam Gadang from era to era will be held as a form of visual\ndocumentation of the city\u2019s development. Various supporting activities\nwill also enliven this commemoration, including poetry readings, book\nlaunches, photography competitions, and other contests,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, a national seminar on city history will be included,\nhighlighting Bukittinggi\u2019s strategic role as the centre of the Emergency\nGovernment of the Republic of Indonesia (PDRI).<\/p>\n
\u201cThese efforts are expected to cultivate awareness among the younger\ngeneration of the nation\u2019s struggle values while strengthening national\ncharacter,\u201d he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bukittinggi-strengthens-international-diplomacy-with-the-netherlands-and-germany-1775220647", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }