July 4-- TEMPO.CO, Magelang - The German government has given Indonesia €134,072 to help research and conserve the structure of the Borobudur Temple in Central Java. Not only financial aid, Germany also brought a team of conservation experts to help preserve the historical Buddhist temple.
Workers wrapping Borobudur's stupas, to cover them from Merapi's volcanic ashes. TEMPO/Yudono
It is important to have long-term conservation for Borobudur Temple. Natural disasters are unpredictable but we have to be able to anticipate them, Deputy Education and Culture Minister Wiendu Nuryanti said on Wednesday, July 3, 2013. Wiendu said the temple had been shrouded by volcanic ash following the 2010 Merapi eruption.
She said that the government would focus on the study of structural conservation, including the maintenance of rocks, drainage and other structure. A team of German conservationists will work together with the Borobudur Conservation Center prior to the conservation efforts. Conservation experts from Italy and Japan will also take part in conducting the research.
Deputy Ambassador of the German Embassy, Heidrun Temple, said that the German government is highly interested to take part in the conservation of Borobudur. Temple said that Borobudur is unique and has great appeal to the international community.
Borobudur needs to be well preserved so it can continue its role as a world class tourist destination, Temple said.