"The historical place is a singular point for all of us, as a source of inspiration, (where the people) could emulate the spirit of national heroes, who remain tirelessly committed to their role during their era," National Awakening Museum Acting Head Pustanto stated here, Thursday.
While opening the "Kelana Bestari" exhibition to commemorate national hero Wahidin Sudirohusodo, he said that museums should also become a source of motivation for the people to continue the spirit of national heroes and contribute to the nation.
The acting museum head remarked that the National Awakening Museum stands on the site of the historical School tot Opleiding van Inlandsche Artsen (STOVIA), the medical school for native doctors established during the Dutch colonial era, which became the cradle of the Indonesian National Awakening.
Pustanto is optimistic that the museum would always belong to the public and motivate the younger generation, not only through museum collections but also through various museum activities.
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Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology's Director for Cultural Protection Irini Dewi Wanti remarked that apart from conserving historical and scientific information, museums also function as research and recreational spaces.
She said that museum activities, including exhibitions, should help advance goals stipulated in Law No. 5 of 2017 on the advancement of national culture.
"We have cultural advancement strategies, and it is clear that according to the strategy, a space of expression is a concrete necessity for all cultural actors," Wanti stated.
Advancing national culture through museum activities is also an avenue to contribute to national development and pass on the spirit of national heroes, which could be expressed through any medium instead of merely through scientific research or speeches, she affirmed.
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Translator: Suci Nurhaliza, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Suharto
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