Meet Jacob Vredenbregt. The humanitarian, educator, and art collector from the Netherlands.
Shortly after the Second World War in Europe had ended, Jacob applied for voluntary service and was eventually sent to Indonesia to fight for the Netherlands in its attempt to restore the country as a colony after Japan annexed in 1942 and left after the war . a long journey in a crowded boat tracking and the first land he set foot on was Tanjung Priok, north Jakarta. They stayed there for two days and switched to their final destination, Surabaya.
Shortly after arriving in Indonesia, he was shot down and captured as a prisoner of war. Ironically, it is when he fell in love with the culture and people. Regardless of his status as a prisoner he had great freedom at times, which enabled him to converse with the locals and learn the language.
After being released and returning to the Netherlands, he has been convinced to return to Indonesia, emotionally touched by the way he was treated. So when he was asked to interrupt his law study at the University of Utrecht and return to Indonesia to provide case law for an agricultural conglomerate, it was not a difficult question.
The new government of the Republic of Indonesia has written laws and regulations in Bahasa Indonesia and they could not find anyone in Indonesia who could read and apply these accordingly. It quickly became a protector of the working class, because most of them did not know the new collective labor agreement and therefore easy to handle.
"The time of the communists not intend to improve the working conditions of workers," said Jacob, "they were to destroy societies and restore based on true Marxism."
because of his knowledge of the law, its drive for justice, and the literary experience with Karl Marx, the workers finally got the wages they deserve. "of course, in the end I am whoever lost. They did not renew my visa and I had to return to the Netherlands, "Jacob grows sad.
During this time he managed some amazing. Jacob achievements firmly believed in education for all and made compulsory for all children of employees within companies, he worked to go to school. the buildings were erected to provide classrooms and teachers were established. Thanks to Jacob for thousands of children trained, extremely valuable asset to local communities.
her second love had sprouted in his second stay in Indonesia. during subsequent visits to towns and villages, he came through various special works art and not only began collecting these, he has also made an effort in knowing what they were and why they were special. it could have been a stroke of luck or wisdom, but he managed to buy items that have increased in value dramatically over the years, making it easier to expand the collection with a variety of special and valuable items.
Back in the Netherlands, he decided not to complete its review of the previous law and registered in cultural anthropology at the University of Leiden. "I've had enough of Law and was much more interested in the immensely diverse culture in Indonesia. This has a lot more sense for me to study anthropology and non-Western sociology and I chose Southeast Asia as a larger area, with Indonesia in particular. "
After five years of dedicated study, Jacob had to write a thesis and her choice fell on a tiny ethnic group on the island of Bawean, off the coast of Java. Finally, he was able to return to his great love.. Indonesia
due to the political unrest in 1965/66 Jacob was forced to return to the Netherlands, again against his own will He yet to finish his thesis and was allowed to defend his findings in the summer '68. After becoming Dr. Jacob Vredenbregt he left Europe again, but this time it would last forever.
Jacob had a successful career as a professor at several universities in Indonesia. He taught in English and Indonesian, has written a dozen literary novels and scientific books, remained Vietnam and Cambodia for some time and finally decided to settle in Ciputat, Jakarta. He bought an empty plot, designed a spacious house and garden and still lives there to this day.
Today, his art collection is jaw-dropping, with paintings, statuettes, figurines, tools and ornaments. Whenever he was traveling through Southeast Asia there would always be some free time to look for art. He bought everything he loved, which makes her incredibly diverse collection, unique and interesting to watch. The most amazing thing is that each object has its own story, and all Jacob remembers. At the age of 87 friendly, he always comes across as witty and lively.
"The government plans to place a new road through my land and they buy me. I'll have to go soon, but I'm not a new place yet, "said Jacob. When asked if he is sad to leave his old house in Ciputat, he said, "No, of course not. I see it as my next adventure. I enjoy every day while I'm still young. "