Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — UNESCO has officially recognized the letters of Indonesian national heroine Raden Ajeng (RA) Kartini as part of its Memory of the World registry, honoring them as a vital part of humanity’s documentary heritage. The announcement was made on Thursday, April 17, 2025, during the 221st session of the UNESCO Executive Board held in Paris.
Kartini’s letters are among 74 new entries added to the registry from all over the world. The document on the registry includes a wide range of historically significant documents from books and manuscripts to photographs, maps, audio recordings, and videos from across the globe.
The Memory of the World program is an initiative designed to preserve and provide universal access to the world’s documentary heritage. According to UNESCO, such records are crucial yet fragile components of global memory and must be preserved for future generations.
“Documentary heritage is an essential but vulnerable element of the world’s memory,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. “That’s why UNESCO works to preserve it by promoting best practices and maintaining this register as a record of humanity’s historical footprint.”
RA Kartini, who lived from 1879 to 1904, is celebrated in Indonesia as a pioneer of women’s rights and education. Her letters written to Dutch pen pals form the foundation for understanding her ideas, personal struggles, and vision for women’s emancipation during a time when patriarchal norms deeply constrained women’s lives in Indonesia.
UNESCO notes that the letters preserved in Dutch institutions offer deep insight into Kartini’s ideas, while the archives in Indonesia reflect the lasting impact of her ideas on education and gender equality in the country.
The collected letters in Indonesia were compiled and published under the title “Out of Darkness Comes Light” (Habis Gelap Terbitlah Terang) by J.H. Abendanon, one of her key correspondents.
Recognizing the historical significance of these writings, the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia (ANRI) and the National Archives of the Netherlands at Leiden University jointly submitted the Kartini documents for UNESCO’s consideration.
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UNESCO officially recognized Kartini letters into the Memory of the World register in 2025 and described Kartini as an enduring source of inspiration, both in Indonesia and internationally, particularly in discussions around feminism, education, and gender equality.
While in Indonesia, her legacy is commemorated annually on April 21, known as Kartini Day.
By adding her letters to the Memory of the World register, UNESCO not only honors Kartini’s role as a trailblazer for women’s rights but also underscores the importance of preserving documents that have shaped modern human civilization.
(Raidi/Agung)
