Photographic Exhibition Retraces Australia’s Role in Indonesia’s Independence

As part of the 65 year celebration of Indonesian Independence, the Australian Embassy is proud to present a photographic exhibition retracing Australia’s role in support of Indonesia’s long and difficult struggle for independence. The exhibition will be officially opened today at the Museum of the Asian-African Conference in Bandung and will run until 31 August 2010.

“Sympathy and active support for Indonesia’s struggle for independence came not only from the Australian Government but also from ordinary Australians and was seen as a major turning point in the relationship,” said Australia’s Chargé d’Affaires to Indonesia, Paul Robilliard.

“I am delighted Indonesians and Australians will be able to learn more about the strong people-to-people links between our two nations and how these played a significant role during the struggle for Indonesia’s independence,” he said.

As part of this exhibition, the Embassy will also host a screening of Indonesia Calling produced by Dutch filmmaker Joris Ivens in 1946. This film tells the story of the blockade led by Australian workers of Dutch ships.

The exhibition will also feature a discussion of the life of Australian Molly Bondan detailed in her books In Love With a Nation and Spanning a Revolution. In Love With a Nation is a collection of Molly’s writings in which she reflects on a number of remarkable events in contemporary Indonesian history and Spanning a Revolution tells the story of her Indonesian husband, Mohammad Bondan’s achievements in the service of his nation. Both books, translated into Indonesian, were launched in Indonesia in 2008 with funding from the Australia-Indonesia Institute.

The exhibition opening will also feature Bandung’s own musical ensemble Samba Sunda who combine a rich array of instruments and influences to create a new style of world music and gamelan. In 2007 the Australia-Indonesia Institute funded Samba Sunda’s tour to Australia which included performances and workshops in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. The visit provided opportunities for large numbers of Australians to appreciate this high-calibre group and Indonesian talent.

Media Enquiries:
Sanchi Davis, Cultural Attaché tel. (021) 2550 5260 mob. 0811 936 302