Director of UNESCO Office, Jakarta, Dr. Hubert Gijzen attended a ceremony at Borobudur Temple Compounds with Richard Gere

On Sunday 26th of June, Dr. Hubert Gijzen, UNESCO director attended the ceremony “Mahakarnya Borobudur” that was jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the republic of Indonesia, and PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan dan Rato Boko. The Hollywood movie star Richard Gere, a Buddhist Activist was also present at the ceremony.

During an interview with the Jakarta Post, UNESCO director gave some details about UNESCO activities; he explained what has been achieved so far for the safeguarding work after the temple was seriously endangered by the Mount Merapi eruption late last year. “With the rain that followed, the volcanic ash seeped into the cracks and the reliefs. The cleaning exercise is a titanic job, a very big job”. So far the top three levels of the temple remain closed to the public because maintenance activities are still ongoing. Mr. Gijzen also pointed out that UNESCO is still in need of additional funds for completing the Safeguarding Operation. He added that “hopefully, we will meet again in November 2011 in this place to celebrate the completion of the restoration exercise.”

Following the visit of Borobudur Temple Compounds alongside with Richard Gere, Dr. Hubert Gijzen met with representatives from Coca-Cola and received a financial donation to reinforce the UNESCO project for Safeguarding Operation of Borobudur.

On the following day, 28 July 2011, the UNESCO director had a meeting discussion with the Sultan of Yogyakarta togher with the representatives of the Jogjakarta & Central Java Hotel Association. This aim of the meeting was to request the Sultan’s support concerning the Borobudur Charity Golf Tournament that will be organized by Jogjakarta & Central Java Hotel Association on 18 September 2011. The donation assembled by the event is to support the UNESCO’s Emergency Operation for the Safeguarding of Borobudur. The Sultan, who agreed to be the patron of the Golf Tournament, also discussed with Hubert Gijzen further potential opportunities for fundraising for safeguarding cultural heritage sites in Indonesia.

• 01-07-2011