Holiday Ayo - The Asian-African Conference was held in Bandung from 18 to 24 April 1955. This first Non-Aligned Movement became a very important event in the history of Indonesian foreign policy.

This incident occurred at Merdeka Building. The building is now used as the Museum of the Asian-African Conference which is located at Asia Afrika Street, Number 65, Bandung, West Java.

History Museum of the Asian-African Conference

Before becoming Merdeka Building, this building was built as a gathering place for European elites, called Societeit Concordia. The building which stands at the intersection of Braga Street and Asia Afrika Street was established on June 29, 1879.

source: Obligasi

The purpose of establishing this building is "de bevordering van gezellig verkeer". That is, improve relations among Europeans in Bandung. The people of this exclusive group use the building which spans over a land area of 7,983 square meters.

The place is just an ordinary building, the walls of which are partly made of planks and are lit using kerosene lanterns. This building is located at the corner of "Groote Postweg" (Asia-Afrika Street) and "Bragaweg" (Braga Street). On the right side of the building is Tjikapoendoeng (Cikapundung), a refreshing river area covered with shady trees.

Societeit Concordia functions as a dance, entertainment and gathering place for wealthy socialites in Bandung and its surroundings. Visitors include plantation owners or employees, officials and wealthy businessmen. During weekends, the building fills with people enjoying art performances, social dancing and dinners.

source: Pikiran-Rakyat.com

Then in 1926, the building was redesigned in an art-deco style by Van Galen and C.P. Wolff Schoemaker. Both are well-known architects and professors at the Technische Hogeschool (now the Bandung Institute of Technology).

The 7500 square meter building has Italian marble floors and rooms are made of cikenhout wood and decorated with crystal chandeliers on the ceiling.

During the Japanese occupation of Indonesia, this building changed its name to Dai Toa Kaman and functioned as a cultural center. After the proclamation of Indonesian Independence on August 17, 1945, the building was used as the headquarters of Indonesian independence fighters against Japanese troops.