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)