Erasmus Huis a cultural center for varied tastes

Erasmus Huis a cultural center for varied tastes

JAKARTA (JP): A typical outing to Erasmus Huis might include
watching a Dutch movie, thumbing through the library's
collection, or taking in art exhibition.

"I like to come by some time, to be around Dutch-speaking
Indonesians and read Dutch literature," an elderly Indonesian
woman said.

Taking in and enjoying cultural activities in a relaxed
atmosphere is what most people seek in a cultural center like the
Erasmus Huis.

Its mission, put simply, is to retain a small cultural outpost
of the Netherlands long after the colonial period ended. With
this objective, it organizes events emphasizing the building of
cultural relations between the two countries. The art exhibition,
for instance, featured the works of Dutch Mella Jaarsma and
Indonesian Nindityo Adipurnomo.

The center, named after the 16th century Dutch humanist
philosopher, opened its doors as a public library 28 years ago in
a house at Jl. Menteng Raya 25, Central Jakarta. Dutch literature
and media publications were provided to allow locals to keep up
their Dutch language skills.

It moved to the larger space on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said,
Kuningan, in 1981 because of growing number of visitors. Situated
next to the embassy and in the same building as the Erasmus Dutch
Language Center, it now ranks among the city's most notable
cultural centers.

"We have good facilities now, an auditorium with 320 seats and
good acoustics," said David Korthals-Altes, adjunct director of
Erasmus Huis.

Concerts, lectures, art exhibitions and movies -- all free of
charge -- are featured on its calendar of events.

"We want to offer activities for everyone," Korthals-Altes
said.

The center organizes about four or five events a month, all
financed by the Dutch foreign affairs ministry. Most of the time,
the auditorium is occupied because it is also available for rent
by other cultural organizations. These may charge a fee to the
public for their events.

Audiences are predominantly a mix of Indonesians and Dutch
expatriates on a nostalgic return to their roots.

Erasmus Huis' agenda in April included the screening of
Antonia, a lecture about winter in the Netherlands and a concert
of soprano Marijke ten Kate, accompanied by Ade Simanjuntak on
piano.

In May, it will feature a recital by pianist Arielle Vernede,
an exhibition of graphic art by W.O.J. Nieuwenkamp, the first
European artist to visit Bali in the 19th century, a concert by a
choir of Bandung's Padjadjaran University, and another by PPIA
choir and the Erasmus Chamber Orchestra. The Jakarta Festival
will be held from May 25 to May 28.

Korthals-Altes said the center boasted a full program but
there would likely be adaptations to changing interests of
locals.

"In the future, I expect that we will have to organize more
events in English and that we will also have to adjust our
library into more English-language books because fewer
Indonesians speak Dutch," he said. (Marieke van Heek)