Erasmuis Huis: Home for artists, art lovers for 35 years

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Dutch cultural center has become an essential destination for Jakarta art lovers. Over its 35 years, its consistency, funding and the dedication of its staff has meant the Erasmus Huis (Erasmus House) has kept its reputation as one of the most important art centers in Jakarta, if not Indonesia.

Named after the 15th Century Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam, the Erasmus Huis is one of two Dutch cultural centers in the world. The other is in France.

Maarten CH Mulder, the director, said the establishment of the center was "... obviously because of our shared history."

"We want to promote Dutch culture as well as culture in general," he told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

The Erasmus has been a home for Indonesian and Dutch artists since it was opened at Jl. Menteng Raya 25 in 1970.

Among Jakartans, the Erasmus is known for its quality classical and jazz music performances. Mulder said classical music became the core of Erasmus events due to the acoustic qualities of its hall and the public interest in the events.

"We have built a solid audience of classical and jazz music buffs," he said.

While some of the performers are Dutch, most are Indonesians and the center cooperates with several Indonesian partners, including universities and music schools.

It also presents film festivals and exhibitions ranging from historical projects to the applied arts. Indonesian artists are, of course, welcome.

"We set standards, but the main point is the idea that you do it seriously. We even allow children to perform here," said Mulder, who is assisted by his deputy, Antje vels Heijn, in running the center.

The Erasmus Huis also nurtures the relationship between the Netherlands and Indonesia through an artist exchange program.

Dutch artists, who are invited by the Erasmus to work and exhibit in Jakarta, are usually sent to areas that work as "partners" to the center in Semarang, Surabaya or Yogyakarta.

The artists are usually asked to hold workshops or master classes for students or art lovers here. The same applies to Indonesian artists invited to the Netherlands.

"(These activities) will create a better understanding of each other," said Mulder, who has been promoting culture for 25 years.

During his four years here, he said he faced no difficulties working with Indonesians.

"I have no objections but 'turn your cellular phone off please' for the classical performances," he said with a chuckle.

Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav S-3, Jakarta 12950. Telephone: (021) 524 1069 Fax: (021) 5275978 Email: info@erasmushuis.or.id Website: www.erasmushuis.or.id