Smartcitymakassar.com. --Makassar- Museum links the past story of a place, the city. A museum is the 'face' of a city that tells how it grows, develops, and deals with its dynamics. Also a museum is a 'path' that gives an outline of its valuable identities.
This museum is called La Galigo that is situated at Fort Rotterdam area, Gedung 10. It does not solely keep the existence of Makassar's long history. Among that, it is also part of that history. Established as the first museum in South Sulawesi in 1938, the Netherlands East-Indies (NEI) government named it Celebes. That time, Makassar was the capital of Gouvernement Celebes en Onderhoorigheden ruled by NEI.
The Celebes Museum was located at the building no. 2 within Fort Rotterdam area. This building was the place for Admiral Cornelis Speelman. Towards the Japanese occupation in Makassar, it occupied three buildings; no. 2, 5, and 8 that had so many complete and varied collections. At the time of Japanese occupation, the museum activities stopped until 1966. In 1970, it was in actual fact formally re-established with the new name, La Galigo Museum, based on the South Sulawesi Governor's order.
At the different place, not so far from La Galigo Museum, located at the heart of Makassar City, in Balaikota Street, existed Museum Kota Makassar. The museum's building is 17th century Europe architecture with two floors. With thick wall, wide wooden windows and has typical hanging ornaments, the museum expresses its established, firm and distinguished characters. It is so commanding. In front of the building, within the area of the museum, an around 300 years old cannon stands firmly. Entering the building, the 17th century of European atmosphere is so dominant.
According to our data, the museum collects around 560 historical objects or articles. Officially launched by Amiruddin Maula, who was the Mayor of Makassar that time, the museum appears to be a 'path'. It is a path that no longer has its interest or attractiveness. The interest or a call for Makassar's people to simply 'say hello' to this museum. The nowadays existence of museums in Makassar is like a kind of 'silent' call out in the middle of the city developments enthusiasms and excitements.
Between the museum and the people, a 'distance' appeared that has been lasting long. An image that museum is just simply a history that has no relations and effects to our nowadays situation is our present common sense. It is only a place for tourists or a place of history subjects for students. The museums therefore lost their attractiveness.
To tell the truth museum is not just a place collecting the historical articles. Among that, it possesses and is blessed with far-reaching natures. Museum is the 'way' a city expresses its existence. It is the identity of a city that portrays its phases of historical existence. Museum is the 'mirror' of a city and at the same time the 'mirror' of the its people.* (Makmur Gazali)
