Jakarta, October 24, 2025 — The Open Initiatives Day program once again opened a meaningful space for dialogue, this time in collaboration with Marjin Kiri for the launch and book tour of “Di Balik Bendera Persatuan: Kolonialisme, Nasionalisme, dan Pembentukan Indonesia Modern” (Behind the Flag of Unity: Colonialism, Nationalism, and the Making of Modern Indonesia) by Dutch writer and researcher Klaas Stutje.

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Ruang & Tempo hosted the first stop of the national book tour, attracting over 40 participants from diverse backgrounds—including members of Bung Hatta’s family (Ibu Gemala Hatta and Gustika Jusuf Hatta), historians, academics, literacy advocates, and students—who gathered to revisit Indonesia’s political and ideological journey that shaped the nation’s foundation.

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The book explores the intricate ties between Indonesian nationalist figures and their international networks during the colonial period. Stutje highlights how Indonesian nationalism was never born in isolation but was instead shaped through cross-border exchanges of ideas among activists in both the Netherlands and Indonesia during the early 20th century.

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The discussion featured Klaas Stutje (author and researcher), Andi Achdian (historian), and Perdana Roswaldy (researcher), who collectively examined the dynamics of ideology, colonialism, and unity in the making of the Indonesian nation.

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As the host, Ruang & Tempo—together with Open Initiatives Day—continues to affirm its commitment as a cross-disciplinary collaborative platform that brings together ideas, knowledge, and historical reflection in an inclusive format. The collaboration with Marjin Kiri represents a shared mission to bring critical literacy to the public through open conversations grounded in freedom of thought.

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Inge Meivi Fania

Community & Public Relations

Ruang & Initiatives

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