Thesis statement :
We must protect and maintain old national historical buildings because indonesian heritage is reflected not only in the history books and museums, but also in the architecture of our buildings and the sites of significant historic events..
Opening
As the indonesia moves into the 21st century, many decisions are being made in both the public and private sectors which affect our historic resources. For some reason the government destroy the old building to make an area for houses and offices. In the other hand we shouldnt let this happen any longer because could lost the trace of our history or let it remain at the history books. Historic significance is not only defined as that of importance to the indonesia, but also at the local level of county, city, indonesian tribal groups, and community. It is a heritage we all share. Our history was made by the people of the past; it belongs to the people of the future. We must protect and maintain old national historical buildings because indonesian heritage is reflected not only in the history books and museums, but also in the architecture of our buildings and the sites of significant historic events. The architecture of the old building enrich our treasury of architecture. Old building usually show the true architectural type of that region. In the past local people receive less influence from the others culture because they were exclusive. Their exclusivity make them build something different from the other, they had typical architecture. The heritage of it is the old traditional building. As example is the Toraja of the Sulawesi highlands are renowned for their tongkonan, houses built on piles and dwarfed by massive exaggerated-pitch saddle roofs. The tongkonan at Ke'te' Kesu' is reputed to be 500 years old; too old to trace a direct descendant from the founder to maintain the title that goes with the house. The buildings themselves, however, are constantly maintained and renewed, thus this age refers to the length of time years for which that particular site has been used as a meeting place. In the period of colonialism, many people from the other country or maybe other continent came here bringing their own religion and culture. They did same like they‘d done in their country, so they build their houses and offices in their taste. The sosial cultural condition around influence the architectural type of old building and that’s different with new building. One of the old buildings which it was built by colonist is Gedung Sate. Gedung Sate is the beautiful shaped building-complex, by design of the architect J. Gerber (1921), both elements of western and eastern architecture were assimilated. You can see Gedung Sate is the only one big building around its area in 1925. It is the real terasury not just the word of description or the old picture, remembering that we had this type of achitectural design in the past.
Each old building have its history. It had recorded some of historical events of our struggle to get the independence for years. Explaining the sequences of history through their existence and make us asking ”this building is unique yet old, when it was built, who built it and what’d done here long time ago”. Gedung perundingan Linggajati where linggajati agreement conduct is one of many historical building. The Linggarjati Agreement, brokered by the British and concluded in November 1946, saw the Netherlands recognise the Republic as the de-facto authority over Java, Madura, and Sumatra. This building was built before linggajati agreement by Syahrir.
Old building enrich our treasury of architecture type. We have to make it for real, maintaining it and studying what history that’s recorded in there. Studying history and remembering the merit of our national heroes is our obligation. Some people may buy a history book, reading it to know the national history and the heritage of it. Some other people may have chance to go to museum, look at the memento of history. Otherwise some people couldn’t read history book yet go to the museum because of their workload. But everyone need to get vacation refreshing their mind and. The existence of old building build bridge that link their needs. They could study the national history while their vacation. Having fun while they learn some stuff of history.
Bibliography of references:
- Sunda, abun (2003). " arief budiman: jangan bingung ketika jakarta tanpa gedung bersejarah”. Kompas, , may 5.
- Suyanto, bagong. (2003). “upaya melestarikan benda dan bangunan cagar budaya di kota surabaya”, kompas . June17
- Mambo (2007, november 8). “belajar sejarah sambil jalan jalan“ retrieved november 8, 2007 from http://www.duniaguru.com - portal duniaguru.
- Guntur Gantara (2003). “Gedung Sate“ retrieved november 10, 2007 from http://www.geocities.com/bandungcity/gesat.htm.
- Wiki Media (19 September 2007). “Tongkonan“ retrieved november 10, 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongkonan
