Satoe Tetap Bersama: A Tribute to the Heroes of the Revolution

The Museum Benteng Vredeburg in Yogyakarta is hosting a temporary exhibition called “Satoe Tetap Bersama” from September 20 to November 23, 2023. The exhibition is part of the Vredeburg Fair 2023, an event that celebrates the history and culture of Indonesia. The exhibition is open to the public every day, except on Mondays and national holidays, when the museum is closed. The entrance fee is only Rp 3.000 for each.

The word “Satoe” means “one” in old Indonesian spelling and reflects the theme of the exhibition, which is to highlight the stories of various elements of society that fought together for one common goal: a free and sovereign Indonesia. The exhibition features historical artifacts, documents, photographs, and audiovisual materials that depict the events and personalities that shaped the history of Yogyakarta during the revolution.

Picture of the Backpack Wonolelo

One of the events that should not be missed here is the exhibition of art and historical objects. Visitors can see the original historical objects on display. One of them is the Wonolelo Backpack. This faded green backpack, which is still in good condition, witnessed the struggle of a group of young people in the guerrilla war led by General Soedirman during the Dutch Military Aggression 1 in 1948.

The backpack witnessed the struggle of a young man from Purworejo Village, Wonolelo, Pleret, Bantul named Suharto. He carried the backpack, which contained TNI supplies such as bullets and grenades, to help the guerrilla war. Bantul Regency in Yogyakarta was the first destination of General Soedirman to carry out the guerrilla tactic.

Picture of the Puppet Struggle

In addition, a series of The Puppet of Struggle are also on display. The puppets on display are Vredeburg’s collections that are decades old. Puppets in the struggle for independence were not only a means of entertainment, but also a media of propaganda and igniting the spirit of nationalism. The puppet show tells the story of the history of Indonesia’s struggle against the colonizers, featuring fighters and colonizers. Some of the characters include Prince Diponegoro, K.H. Alibasyah Sentot Prawiradirdja, Kyai Mojo, General De Kock, and VOC. Nowadays, puppet of struggle show aims to education purposes telling about history of nation struggle and the spirit of heroes towards young generations,

The exhibition is part of the Vredeburg Fair 2023, a series of events and activities that are organized by the Museum Benteng Vredeburg to promote the museum as a center of education, recreation, and empowerment for the public. The Vredeberg Fair 2023 also collaborates with 34 communities, consisting of partner museums, schools and universities, art groups, social communities and MSMEs to get involved. Every weekend during the event, there will be art performances, ketoprak, music shows and storytelling in collaboration with the Forum of Museum Benteng Vredeburg Yogyakarta Community (FOKUS).

The Vredeburg Fair 2023 is a great opportunity for the public to learn more about the history of the revolution and to appreciate the sacrifices and achievements of the heroes who fought for the independence of Indonesia. It is also a reminder of the importance of maintaining the unity and solidarity of the nation in facing the challenges of the present and the future.