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Backgrounder: Merdeka Building in Indonesia's Bandung

Xinhua, April 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

Leaders of Asian and African nations started here the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference, or the Bandung Conference, from Savoy Homann Hotel to Merdeka Building here on Friday.

Following is a brief introduction of the Merdeka Building:

Merdeka Building, also known as Gedung Merdeka, is an art-deco building serving as a museum displaying collections and photographs of the first AsianAfrican Conference held there in 1955.

The present building was designed in 1926 in art-deco style by Van Galen and C.P. Wolff Schoemaker, both professors and famous architects of the time.

The 7,500-square meter building features Italian marble floors, saloons and crystal lamps on ceilings.

The first building, on the site at the intersection of Braga Street and Jalan Asia-Africa, was constructed in 1895.

In 1926, it was rebuilt by Wolff Schoemacher, Albert Aalbers and Van Gallen.

Initially named Sociteit Concordia, the venue was a dance hall for entertainment and social gatherings.

During weekends, the building was loaded with wealthy business people, enjoying art performances, social dances and dinner.

During the Japanese occupation, the building was renamed Dai Toa Kaman and served as a cultural center.

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 Indonesia's independence by The Netherlands in 1949, and the formation of the federal government, the Concordia building was once again used as public gathering hall, for art performances, parties, dances and gala dinner.

In 1954, the Indonesian government appointed Bandung as the host of the first AsianAfrican Conference and the Concordia building was chosen as the venue of the meetings.

At that time, Concordia was the largest and grandest hall in Bandung.

In early 1955, the building was renovated to meet international conference requirements and the building also served as Indonesia' s House of Representatives convention building. Endi