Ereveld Kalibanteng

05/10/2025

After the Second World War, there were originally 22 erevelden spread across Indonesia.

At the request of the Indonesian government in the 1960s, this number was reduced to 12 war cemeteries, and later consolidated again to the 7 erevelden that remain today, all located on the island of Java.

This process ensured that the graves could be properly maintained and that the memory of the war victims would be preserved in places that remain accessible for families and future generations.

Ereveld Kalibanteng became one of the chosen cemeteries, receiving the reburial of war victims from Tarakan (1964), Balikpapan (1967), Palembang (1967), and Makassar (1968).

If you have family members or friends who may have been buried or relocated from these earlier cemeteries, and you are not sure where they now rest, you can search for them in our online database: https://oorlogsgravenstichting.nl/zoeken .

01/10/2025

A new series begins on our page 🌿

Going forward, we will be sharing a special series of posts filled with stories, facts, and insights about the ereveld, the war cemeteries that carry so many memories and histories.

Before we start, we would love to hear from you:
What questions have you always had about the ereveld?
Perhaps about its history, who is laid to rest here, or how to visit?

Please share your questions in the comments 👇
In the weeks ahead, we will share new stories, highlight and explore them one by one.

Together, let us remember the past, reflect in the present, and preserve the hope of a peaceful future. 🕊

13/06/2025

🌿 You're Invited: Launch of the OGS Indonesia Website

We are honoured to invite you to the launch of the new OGS Indonesia website, a platform dedicated to the seven Netherlands war cemeteries (erevelden) in Indonesia, where thousands of war victims are laid to rest.

This website has been developed with care and thoughtfulness. It provides reliable, bilingual information about each erevelden and helps visitors understand their historical significance and the symbols found within them. While it does not yet share the stories of every grave, it is a meaningful step towards making these sites more accessible, especially for those in Indonesia and abroad who continue to visit and reflect.

📅 Thursday, 19 June 2025
🕒 15.00–16.00 WIB (10.00–11.00 CEST)
📍 Join us online via Zoom
🎫 Register here: https://bit.ly/OGSIndonesia-website
🔗 A Zoom link will be provided after registration and email reminder will be sent.

This website is part of our ongoing effort to honour those who came before us, not only with remembrance, but with purpose. By learning about the impact of war, we are reminded why peace, understanding, and dialogue remain so important today.

We would be truly grateful for your presence as we mark this meaningful milestone together.

22/04/2025

💐Important Announcement: Temporary Closure of Ereveld Kalibanteng💐

Dear families, friends, and visitors,

We would like to inform you that Ereveld Kalibanteng will be temporarily closed from 24 to 30 April 2025 to carry out essential asbestos removal work. We warmly welcome you to return from 1 May 2025, although some areas may remain temporarily restricted due to ongoing safety precautions.

The health and safety of our visitors and dedicated staff are our highest priority. Ereveld Kalibanteng is a deeply meaningful place for remembrance, reflection, and connection with our shared history. This temporary closure is a necessary step to ensure that the site remains a safe space for all who come to pay their respects.

We fully recognise the emotional significance of visiting the war cemetery, and our team is committed to completing the work efficiently while prioritising everyone's wellbeing.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this period. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to welcoming you back to Ereveld Kalibanteng once the essential work is complete.

With warm regards,
OGS Indonesia and the Ereveld Kalibanteng Team

08/08/2024

We stand on sacred ground, where courage and sacrifice have left an indelible mark.

This year, as we mark the Cessation of the Second World War in Asia, commemorations will take place at Ereveld Menteng Pulo in Jakarta, Ereveld Kembang Kuning in Surabaya, Ereveld Kalibanteng, and Ereveld Candi in Semarang.

This is the second year the Netherlands Defense Attaché office is rotating the commemoration sites, a special gesture of dedication to honouring the memory of those who rest in these hallowed grounds. Notably, this will be the first time ever that ceremonies are held at Ereveld Kalibanteng and Ereveld Candi.

The commemoration at Ereveld Kalibanteng will be slightly bigger than that at Ereveld Candi, featuring a special performance by the International Relations students from UNDIP.

Join us in reflecting on the profound impact of war at Ereveld Kalibanteng. We welcome the public to join us on the 15th of August 2024 at 8:00 AM, where the ceremony will start at 8:30 AM (please park at Museum Ranggawarsita).

We are honoured to have Netherlands Defense Attaché Norbert Moerkens participate in this ceremonies, paying tribute to those who gave their all for a better future. 🌹

This poignant act honours the lives given in pursuit of a brighter future – a future we cherish today. As we remember these war victims, we invite you to join us in spirit and in person, reflecting on their lasting legacy.

Their memory lives on, inspiring us to continue building bridges of peace and understanding. Let’s remember, respect, and recommit to the ideals of peace that unite us all.

On Thursday 15 August 2024 we will commemorate the cessation* of the Second World War in Asia.

We invite you to ceremonies with speeches and wreath laying in Semarang, Surabaya, and Jakarta.

This year a special melati flower wreath made of a 1000 handmade melati’s by volunteers in the Netherlands will be laid at Ereveld Menteng Pulo in Jakarta.

Ceremonies are in English and open to all. For more information: bit.ly/EKN-ERV15AUG24 (link on bio) or go to our website.

(Please note that video recordings will be made for the broadcasting of the National 15th of August Commemoration in the Netherlands)

*The formal end of the Second World War was concluded with the Surrender Ceremony on the USS Missouri on 2 September 1945.

13/09/2023

Today, on behalf of the Oorlogsgravenstichting, the Opzichter of Ereveld Kalibanteng, Eko Budi Listyanto, laid a wreath near the General Flag Monument, a symbol of respect and remembrance for the fallen war victims.

This small commemoration, marking the end of the Second World War in Asia, carries immense significance. It's a reminder of the sacrifices made and the hardships endured, and it underscores the importance of never forgetting our history.

Commemorating the end of World War II in Asia is not just about looking back; it's about looking forward. It's about acknowledging the lessons we've learned and the resilience of the human spirit. It's about reaffirming our commitment to peace, unity, and understanding.

In a world where divisions can sometimes seem insurmountable, this commemoration bridges gaps and brings us together. It reminds us that, regardless of our backgrounds or borders, we share a common humanity and a shared history.

As we lay wreaths and pay our respects, we're not just honouring the past; we're shaping our future. A future built on the foundations of peace, compassion, and the unwavering belief that, together, we can create a better world.

03/08/2023

🌺 Embracing Remembrance with Love and Care 🕊️

As the 15th of August Nationale Herdenking draws near, our hearts are filled with profound reverence and compassion as we prepare the hallowed grounds of the Ereveld.

We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the families who have kindly ordered flowers for this solemn occasion. We hold each family in our hearts during this time of remembrance.

The Ereveld is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. As we meticulously tend to this hallowed ground, we recognize that each name etched on these stones tells a unique story - one of bravery, sacrifice, and resilience.

This month, our commitment to caring for the Ereveld is infused with an even deeper sense of purpose. Beyond preserving history, we seek to carry the lessons from the past, both inspiring and cautionary, to guide us in shaping a future filled with compassion and understanding.

As we come together on the 15th of August, we shall lay a wreath as a symbol of eternal remembrance for all who rest here. Let us unite our hearts in reflection, cherishing the memories and using them as inspiration to bring about positive changes and make an impact that paves the way for a future filled with peace.

09/11/2022

A late - but very special - post as guests of Bersukaria Tour honoured child victims of war on International Children's Day at our women's & children's war cemetery Ereveld Kalibanteng.

Thank you, Fauzan and Tiwi, for taking the initiative for this very special commemoration and for helping us tell the stories of the war cemeteries and the war victims who are buried there, so that they are not forgotten and can continue to inspire us to contribute to a better future for all.

09/11/2022

All of our war cemeteries are very much part of the wider community around them.

Recently, it's been our pleasure and honour to host the team of the Museum Ronggowarsito as well as students from Universitas Negeri Semarang, Universitas Islam Sultan Agung Semarang and SMK Ma’arif Kyai Gading.

They were given an interactive tour around the grounds by Ereveld Kalibanteng's Manager, Eko, not only taking in the stories of the war cemetery and the war victims who lie buried there, but also being introduced to some of the processes behind the scenes of large war cemetery operations.

To the team of Ronggowarsito and the students, thank you for a wonderful relationship and collaboration. We very much look forward to continuing our collaboration in the future and to welcoming you back at Ereveld Kalibanteng or any of our other war cemeteries.

09/11/2022

A great range of different communities find their way to Ereveld Kalibanteng. While some are directly focused on heritage and history, others evolve around a very different interest, but enjoy visiting special locations together.

It has been our honour to host a group of Bimbel Bina Bahasa for the very first time at Ereveld Kalibanteng. Ereveld Kalibanteng's Manager, Eko, took the group on an interactive tour of the grounds of this unique war cemetery at which most of the victims are women and children.

To the Bima Bina Bahasa members: we hope you had a good and inspiring time, and we hope to welcome you and your friends again at Ereveld Kalibanteng or our other war cemeteries.

09/11/2022

As the pandemic measures ease, we're very happy to see that visitors from the Netherlands and elsewhere are able to return, not only to visit the war cemeteries, but also to enjoy the wonders of Indonesia.

It's been an honour and pleasure to host several traveling groups of the Pelita Foundation and the Johanes van Someren Brand Group over the past weeks.

To all of our foreign guests: we hope you've had a good and inspiring time and wish you blessed travels. Until we meet again ...

16/08/2022

Lest we forget ...

Thank you, players of local football team SSB Terang Bangsa for visiting Ereveld Kalibanteng to pay tribute to the victims of WWII ahead of the official commemorations for the end of WWII in Asia on the 15th of August.

It's been our pleasure to share the stories about the war cemetery and the victims who have found their final resting place here and we very much appreciate you commemorating those who fell. Particularly at Ereveld Kembang Kuning, where so many lie who were of the same age as you when they died.

Thank you again and we hope to welcome you again in the future.