Merdeka Building or Gedung Merdeka is an art-deco building in Jalan Asia-Afrika, Bandung, Indonesia. Today it serves as a museum displaying
collections and photographs of the Asian-African Conference, the first Non-Aligned Movement that was held there in 1955.
The last time I went to Gedung Merdeka was
last week. There were so many beautiful decorations there. Gedung Merdeka had
touched well on Ridwan Kamil’s hand. He changed people’s perspective of Gedung
Merdeka. “Gedung Merdeka was only a historical building” no, you are totally
wrong. Now, we can walk around, take a photo, selfie, or just spend time with
family and friends near Gedung Merdeka.
After Asia-Africa Conference or Konfrensi
Asia Afrika (KAA), we can enjoy more beauty of Gedung Merdeka and Asia-Afrika
Street. There are the stone balls with flags of countries which participate
KAA, flowers in a hanging pot on the trees, the beautiful street lamps, the
classic seats, cikapundung waterfalls, sculpture of figures, and the very tidy
as well as clean along the street. It is not only historical, but also a
beautiful place to explore in Asia-Afrika Street, Bandung. You have to come to
Gedung Merdeka when you are in Bandung!
The present building was designed in 1926 in art deco style by Van Galen and C. P. Wolff Schoemaker, both professors at Technische Hogeschool (today ITB) and famous architects of that
time. The 7500 m² building had Italian marble floors, some saloon and
rooms in cikenhout wooden finishing, and was adorned with crystal lamps
on the ceilings.
Gedung Merdeka
has changed its function many times in its 110 years. It was first used as a
coffe shop. Then, in 1928, it was remodelled by two Dutch architects and
converted into a social hall for the Dutch community of Bandung, called
Societeit Concordia.
Later, in 1955,
when Bandung was chosen to host the Asia-Africa Conference, Indonesia first
President, Ir. Soekarno, changed the old building’s name from
SocieteitConcordia to Gedung Merdeka, the “Freedom Building” and the name has
stuck ever since.
Before it was
converted into a museum, Gedung Merdeka was used as a conference hall and as
the office for various high state instutions. As the 25th anniversary of the
first Asia Africa Conference approached, it was proposed that the building be
established as the Asia-Africa Conference Museum, and as the peak of the 25th
anniversary commemoration, Indonesia’s second President, Soeharto, inaugurated
the Asia-Africa Conference Museum on the site.
The museum’s
collection deals mainly with the conference held fifty years ago: Photographs,
books, and a diorama portraying Soekarno giving his openingspeech at the
conference, with the Vice President and five sponsoring Prime Ministers in the
background.
The 1955
Asia-Africa Conference had a significantimpact on world events. Around 79
Countries achieved independencein the years following the conference. The
indicates that the conference resolution, the Bandung Principles, was more than
mere words on paper.
This evening, Bandung has just been
drenched with rain. An elegant old building stands on one corner of Jalan Asia
Africa. The glow from the streetlights around the building gives the building a
majestic feel. The old building is ready to welcome her guests, who will give
thanks for the conference held here fifty years ago that helped their nations
to breathe the air of freedom.
The first building on the site at the
intersection of Braga Street and Jalan Asia-Africa was constructed in 1895 for the
Sociëteit Concordia. In 1926 it was rebuilt by Wolff Schoemacher, Albert Aalbers and Van Gallen. The Sociëteit Concordia was the dance hall, entertainment and
social gathering venue for rich people in Bandung and its vicinity. That
included plantation owners or employees, officers, officials, and wealthy
businessman. During weekends, the building was filled with people enjoying art
performances, social dances and dinner.
During the Japanese occupation of Indonesia, the
building was renamed Dai Toa Kaman
and served as cultural centre.
After the Indonesian proclamation of
Independence on 17 August 1945, the building was used as headquarters of
Indonesian independence fighters against Japanese troops.
After the recognition of Indonesian
Independence by The Netherlands in 1949, and the formation of federal
government of Negara Pasundan, Concordia building was once again used as public
gathering hall, for art performances, parties, dances, and gala dinner.
In 1954, the government of Indonesia
appointed Bandung as the host of Asian African Conference, the Concordia building chosen as the
venue of this International conference. At that time Concordia was the largest
and grandest hall in Bandung, with strategic location near Savoy Homann Hotel and Preanger Hotel in the city
centre. In early 1955, the building was renovated to meet international
conference requirements by Ir. R. Srigati Santoso, and renamed Gedung Merdeka (independence building). The building also served as Indonesian House of Representatives (MPR)
convention building.
In 1965 the Gedung Merdeka was the
venue for the Asian-African Islamic Conference. In 1971 all of the House of
Representatives meetings and activities were moved to Jakarta. In
March 1980 the building hosted the 25th anniversary of the Asian-African
Conference, and the Asian-African Conference Museum was inaugurated by
president Soeharto.
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