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Letter From Jakarta
Old is cool as Jakarta turns Dutch colonial heritage buildings into popular hangouts
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Pos Bloc Jakarta, a centuries-old Dutch colonial edifice known as the Jakarta Philatelic Building, seen here in 1971, with Istiqlal Mosque under construction in the background. It dates back to 1746 and was revived at a cost of 5 billion rupiah, before welcoming visitors in 2021.
PHOTO: WERELDMUSEUM AMSTERDAM
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JAKARTA - Whoosh. Clank. The steady rhythm of printing presses once echoed through the vast recesses of Jakarta’s Dutch colonial-era money-printing factory, redolent of ink and paper, history and tradition.
Fast forward to today, and the soundscape has shifted: Laughter spills from cosy cafes, lively chatter buzzes as shoppers dart in and out of boutiques, and the sound of music draws curious onlookers to the courtyard space as local band members tune their instruments before a performance.
