The Architect of Aceh Tsunami Museum's Emotional Visit

TheIndonesia.id - For the 17th anniversary of the Aceh Tsunami, Ridwan Kamil visited the Tsunami Museum which he designed as an architect. Ridwan Kamil who is now the Governor of West Java Province told his emotional story when designing the Aceh Tsunami Museum in Banda Aceh City.

This museum is designed as a reminder of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Tanah Rencong on December 26, 2004. It also has functioned as an education center, as well as a shelter during disaster emergencies.

"At that time I was not yet mayor (of Bandung city), I was as an architect, have designed many buildings, but the most emotional and tearful design was when I designed this Aceh Tsunami Museum," he said while attending the 17th anniversary of the Aceh tsunami in Ulee Lheu, Banda Aceh, Sunday, December 26, 2021.

In the event which was also attended by the Governor of Aceh Nova Iriansyah and Deputy Chairman of the People Consultative's Assembly Ahmad Muzani, Ridwan Kamil said that the people of Aceh entrusted a collective memory to him when he designed the Aceh Tsunami Museum building.

Inside the Aceh Tsunami Museum, there is a memorial room, prayer wells, and the victims of the Aceh earthquake and tsunami names. However, he said, the museum was not only designed as a reminder of the tsunami but also as a place to learn about disasters. "How our children and grandchildren learn to welcome the future better and safer," he said.

"The museum is very open, I present a place that is not haunted. So people, every day, if you miss, need rest, please come without having to go into it," he added.

Ridwan Kamil hopes that the museum, which has been named a popular tourist destination in Indonesia, can continue to accompany the journey of the Acehnese people. "The Aceh Tsunami Museum is 14 years old and hopefully it will continue to accompany the glorious journey of the Acehnese people," he said.

Seventeen years ago, Sunday, December 26, 2004, an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.2 on the Richter scale and followed by a tsunami devastated Aceh and caused the deaths of more than 200 thousand people. The people of Tanah Rencong annually commemorate the earthquake and tsunami that occurred 17 years ago and send prayers for the people who lost their lives as a result of this great natural disaster.\

"During that incident, we who love the people of Aceh, sent volunteers, donated funds, sent energy and sent works, to revive the spirit of the Acehnese people," said Ridwal Kamil.