David van Reybrouck & Heinz Bude: Indonesia and the Birth of Global Modernity

On September 13 at 6 p.m, Heinz Bude talks with David van Reybrouck at the Research Station on Lutherplatz. As part of the series „Vergiftete Verhältnisse – Gespräche zur Gegenwartskunst“ (Contaminated Conditions - Conversations on Contemporary Art), they will discuss the topic of Indonesia and the birth of global modernity.


In 1955, Indonesian President Sukarno opened the Konferensi Asia-Afrika in Bandung - a world-historical moment. A few years earlier, Indonesia was still the colony of the Dutch Indies. From now on, newly independent, it was a place where 29 non-Western countries sought a united voice against European colonialism. The second most populous country on earth at the time, after China, had become the signpost of decolonial aspirations - and thus, involuntarily, the birthplace of the European community. What do we learn when we look at the history of modernity from an Indonesian perspective, which is also always interwoven with Europe through distance and proximity?  

David Van Reybrouck, born in Bruges in 1971, is a writer, playwright, journalist, archaeologist and historian. In 2011, he founded the G1000 initiative, which promotes democratic innovation in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain. His book "Congo. A History" won many awards, including the 2012 NDR Kultur Sachbuchpreis, and brought Van Reybrouck international recognition. His book "Revolusi. Indonesien und die Entstehung der modernen Welt" will be published by Suhrkamp Verlag on September 12. 

Single-Image-Module-Picture
Single-Image-Module-Picture
Back to Home