Stamp Exhibition: Germany-Indonesia: Making Friends through Stamps

In order to organize a stamp fair which celebrates the friendship between Germany and Indonesia, Wisma Jerman collaborated with the Post Office Kebonrojo. The fair took place under the title Germany-Indonesia: Making Friends Through Stamps on 22^nd to 26^th of February 2020 at the Post Office Kebonrojo. The opening ceremony began with welcome words by Mike Neuber, Managing Director of Wisma Jerman, and Dino Aryadi, Head of the Post Office Kebonrojo. The first highlight of the event was the performance of the Angklung Choir of Yayasan Pendidikan Anak-Anak Buta (YPAB), a school for the visually impaired in Surabaya.

Next, three stamp collectors and one of the authors of the book “Indonesia through Stamps” took to the stage. The three collectors were Christian Kyriss from Germany and Lydia Tandra as well as Dennis Purwoko from Surabaya. They gave the audience a glimpse of their collection and explained what made them interested in collecting stamps. What is more they talked about how stamps enable people to get in touch with others from all over the world and thereby create friendships and raise interest in different cultures, history and more.

They were followed by Drs. Valentino Barus who emphasized these characteristics of stamps and gave insights about the history of stamps in general and in Indonesia. He then went on to talk about the story behind his book “Indonesia through Stamps” which had been published with support by the Indonesian government in 2015. At the event visitors had the opportunity to obtain a signed edition of the book.

The exhibition was divided in 16 overarching themes that reflected both Indonesia and Germany. Among others, these topics included culture, animals, plants, art, and more. Some of the stamps exhibited were made from unusual materials like wood, ceramic and metal, some were special due to their rarity. Not only did the exhibition aim to promote the friendship between Indonesia and Germany in its many facets but also to raise interest in stamps itself, which not too long ago were the only means to connect people from all over the world. With the support of the Post Office Kebonrojo, guests at the opening ceremony were invited to make their own personalized stamps and take them home as a memory. After the official opening of the exhibition which was accompanied by a countdown, all guests, speakers and the organizing committee joint together for a photo session.

The following days the exhibition stayed open to the public until the evening hours.