"This is not merely returning historical objects, but also understanding and spreading knowledge on the historical and cultural wealth separated from the homeland," he added in a statement released by his office on Monday.
He said that the repatriation agreement involved intensive cooperation between the Indonesian and Dutch governments and included an in-depth provenance study to ensure the authenticity and origin of each object.
"This is part of the repatriation agenda agreed in the memorandum of understanding or (MoU) signed by the two countries in 2017," Farid said.
The ministry has also prepared special programs to demonstrate its commitment to repatriation, including conservation and ongoing research, which will be executed by experts.
"We will prepare educational programs and interactive activities to educate the public about the historical and cultural value of these artifacts," he said.
The repatriated artifacts include several objects from the Puputan Badung war collection taken during the Dutch military intervention in Bali in 1906 and historical statues from Singhasari Temple in East Java.
A Ganesha statue, a Brahma statue, a Bhairawa statue, and a Nandi statue from the collection were repatriated in 2023.
Farid said that the entire collection that was successfully repatriated will be managed by the Indonesian Heritage Agency and exhibited before the public on October 15, 2024.
"This exhibition is not only an opportunity to see the repatriated historical artifacts but also a chance to learn and appreciate our hard work in restoring our cultural heritage," he said.
Moreover, research on the history of the repatriated artifacts could also offer deeper insights into the history and role of these objects in Indonesia's civilization, he added.
"We can also enrich our understanding of the past, allowing current and future generations to appreciate our cultural heritage," he pointed out.
The repatriation is also a symbol of the increasingly close diplomatic ties between Indonesia and the Netherlands, he said.
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Translator: Lintang Budiyanti P, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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