The Hague and the former Dutch East Indies

After two centuries of mercantile rule the East Indies came under the colonial rule of the Netherlands during the 19th century. Since its independence in 1945 (although not recognised as such by the Netherlands until December 1949), this former Dutch colony has been known as Indonesia.

Thanks to its strong bond with the former Dutch East Indies (Nederlands-Indië) and to the culture of the Indies, The Hague is sometimes referred to as 'Widow of the Dutch East Indies'.

Favourite city

The Hague, which housed the Ministry of Colonies, was the favourite city for soldiers and civil servants on furlough from the Dutch East Indies. The Hague offered facilities for families on leave, including shops with colonial goods and boarding houses. The Hotel Des Indes on the Lange Voorhout in The Hague used to accommodate many of these travellers. There was a second Hotel Des Indes in the former colonial capital city of Batavia (now Jakarta), but this has since closed down.

Between 1880 and 1900 the residential neighbourhood of the Archipelbuurt was built in The Hague. In this neighbourhood many colonials took up residence in streets named after some of the thousands of islands of the Indonesian archipelago. This was not the only neighbourhood favoured by so-called ‘repatriates’. The Statenkwartier and Duinoord as well as an important street (the Laan van Nieuw Oost Indië and the likewise named train station) pay tribute to the city's relationship with the East Indies.

Indonesian independence

Following Indonesian independence, hundreds of thousands of Dutch people had to leave the only land they had ever known.

Between 1945 and 1966 more than 60,000 of the estimated 300,000 repatriates chose to settle in The Hague. This number included people who had worked in the Dutch East Indies as well as people who were born and raised there. For many of them it was their first acquaintance with the Netherlands, their so-called ‘fatherland’. Many colonial Dutch had mixed ancestry or were Dutch nationals through marriage.

A remembrance ceremony is organised at the Indisch Monument each year on 15 August to commemorate the Dutch victims of the Second World War in Asia.

Thriving culture

Ties with these former Dutch colonies have remained strong. This can be seen throughout the Netherlands by an abundance of ‘pasar malams’ (Eurasian fairs), Indonesian restaurants and a strong contribution by the Eurasian community in the Netherlands to language, literature and music (for example, Indorock).

Not only does The Hague have many residents who have their roots in the Dutch East Indies, but it also offers more Indonesian restaurants and tokos (Indonesian shops) than any other town in the Netherlands. The culture of the Dutch East Indies continues to thrive in The Hague, as evidenced in particular by the annual Tong Tong Festival (formerly Pasar Malam Besar). During nearly two weeks in May/June visitors from all over the world descend upon The Hague for the Grand Bazaar as well as for its music, food, entertainment and lectures.