Borobudur Ship Expedition 2003 inaugurated

DENPASAR (indo.com): Indonesia’s Minister for Tourism and Culture I Gede Ardika and Philippe Delanghe, UNESCO Office Jakarta Program Specialist for Culture, jointly inaugurated the Borobudur Ship Expedition at Jana Segara Sanggraha, Benoa Harbor, Bali on July 15, 2003.


The Borobudur Ship has been constructed based on information interpreted from relief carvings found at Borobudur Temple. The expedition will retrace the ancient Cinnamon Route.

President of Indonesia Megawati Soekarno Putri is scheduled to officiate the start of the expedition on August 15, 2003 as part of the Indonesian Independence Day (August 17) celebration programs.

Former British Royal Navy officer Philip Beale, will lead the expedition, with I Gusti Putu Ngurah Sedana from the Indonesian Navy acting as captain.

With the support of an International team of young sailors, they will set sail for Madagascar and end their journey in December 2003.

Nick Burmingham, an acclaimed expert on Indonesian watercraft and maritime archeology from Australia, acted as a superviser of the building of the vessel, while As’ad Abdullah, an expert in building traditional sea vessel since the 1970s, was in charge of constructing the ship using traditional building technique.

I Gede Ardika said that the Borobudur Ship Expedition 2003 is expected to revitalize the Indonesian maritime spirit.

“It will be a good opportunity to show the world and remind the Indonesian community that Indonesia is a country with an ancient maritime history and a long-line of intrepid sailors who helped shape the history of the world,” said the minister.

Director of UNESCO Representative Office Jakarta, Stephen Hill, said that UNESCO has always been committed to the preservation of culture and world heritage.

The Borobudur Ship Expedition is expected to serve as a medium to revive Indonesia’s valuable cultural heritage, he said.