Category Archives: Uncategorized

Ubud Writers and Readers Festival 2017

Posted on October 6, 2017 by ianburnet

From humble beginnings in 2002, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival has evolved into one of the world’s most celebrated literary and artistic events – an annual pilgrimage for lovers of literature and conversation. Bringing together some of the world’s … Continue reading →

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‘Where Australia Collides with Asia’ – Book Review by Maximos Russell Darnley

Posted on October 6, 2017 by ianburnet

Some historical narratives can be difficult to follow when they are punctuated by countless footnotes and bibliographic references, or broken by a frequent need to delve into appendices. Ian Burnet frees his work from these impediments. By seamlessly embedding his … Continue reading →

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The Mardijkers of Batavia – The music of the Keroncong Tugu Band

Posted on September 18, 2017 by ianburnet

For those who like some of the best of keroncong music, follow the link to various performances of the Keroncong Tugu Band: For all SeaTrekkers, don’t forget to watch the Medley Ambon as it will will bring back white waves … Continue reading →

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The Forgotten Mardijkers of Batavia

Posted on September 16, 2017 by ianburnet

In 1699 the population of Batavia consisted of 3679 Chinese, 2407 Mardjikers or Portuguese Eurasians, 1,783 Dutch, 670 Dutch Eurasians and the original inhabitants or Orang Betawi. These Portuguese Eurasians had been brought to Batavia as slaves or indentured labour … Continue reading →

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‘Where Australia Collides with Asia’ – the first book reviews are in

Posted on September 5, 2017 by ianburnet

Published by Rosenberg Publishing in August 2017 What Burnet achieves in his wonderfully illustrated and narrated book is to relate the important role the Indonesian archipelago has played in the intellectual history of the West. In their separate voyages Banks, … Continue reading →

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The Indonesian Proclamation of Independence (updated with the full text)

Posted on August 17, 2017 by ianburnet

On the 17th of August 1945, 72 years ago, Dr Ir Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaimed Indonesian independence from the Netherlands and the following day were appointed as the first President and Vice-President of the newly declared Indonesian Nation. At … Continue reading →

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Where Australia Collides with Asia

Posted on August 7, 2017 by ianburnet

The printed copies of Where Australia Collides with Asia have finally arrived and there is nothing more exciting than holding the final result of many years of work in your hand. Unfortunately this feeling of euphoria is usually followed by … Continue reading →

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The forgotten Indonesian island that was swapped for Manhattan

Posted on July 30, 2017 by ianburnet

Today, July 31, 2017, is the 350 year anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Breda which ended the second Anglo-Dutch war. Included in the Treaty was an agreement to exchange the Dutch claim to the island of Manhattan … Continue reading →

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East Indies – A Story of Spices, Gunpowder and Opium

Posted on July 18, 2017 by ianburnet

News Update. East Indies is now out in a paperback edition and available on order from your favorite bookstore or your favorite online retailer for A$29.95. In 1497 Vasco da Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope, his small Portuguese … Continue reading →

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RHUNHATTAN – A Tale of Two Islands

Posted on July 4, 2017 by ianburnet

With the 350 year anniversary of the 1667 Treaty of Breda coming up on July 31 there was a lot of interest in Beatrice Glow’s historical art installation the Rhunhattan Tearoom that was posted last month.   Beatrice Glow and … Continue reading →

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