Mangunwijaya
Encyclopedia
Yusuf Bilyarta Mangunwijaya (Ambarawa
, Central Java
, 6 May 1929 - Jakarta
10 February 1999), was an Indonesian architect, writer, and Catholic religious leader. He was often called Romo Mangun (Father Mangun).
, he joined the People's Security Army and was shocked by the way the troops treated the villagers. In 1950, after hearing a speech by one of their commanders, Major Isman, about the harmful effects of the revolution on civilians, he decided to serve the people as a priest. He was ordained in 1959, while studying philosophy and theology at the "Institute Sancti Pauli" in Yogyakarta. He continued to study architecture in Aachen
, Germany, and at the Aspen Institute of Humanistic Studies in Aspen
, Colorado.
He was the author of many novels, short stories, essays and non-fiction works. His novel Burung-Burung Manyar (The Weaver Birds) received the Ramon Magsaysay Award
in 1996.
He was known as the father of modern Indonesian architecture
. He received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture
in 1992 for his work with the slum dwellers on the banks of the river in Yogyakarta.
His disappointment with the Indonesian educational system
inspired him to explore alternative systems. He founded the "Elementary Education Dynamics Foundation", as well as an exploratory elementary school project for those who were displaced by the Kedung Ombo reservoir.
He always sympathised with the poor and oppressed, and was a strong opponent of the Soeharto regime.
Ambarawa
Ambarawa is a market town located between Semarang and Salatiga in Central Java, Indonesia.Ambarawa was an important connecting rail link providing a cog railway connecting through Central Java as far as Yogyakarta via Magelang. The Semarang-Ambarawa-Magelang line was fully operational until 1977...
, Central Java
Central Java
Central Java is a province of Indonesia. The administrative capital is Semarang. It is one of six provinces on the island of Java.This province is the province of high Human Development in Indonesia and its Points Development Index countries is equivalent to Lebanon. The province of Central Java...
, 6 May 1929 - Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
10 February 1999), was an Indonesian architect, writer, and Catholic religious leader. He was often called Romo Mangun (Father Mangun).
Biography
He was the son of Yulianus Sumadi and Serafin Kamdaniyah. At the age of sixteen, during the Indonesian National RevolutionIndonesian National Revolution
The Indonesian National Revolution or Indonesian War of Independence was an armed conflict and diplomatic struggle between Indonesia and the Dutch Empire, and an internal social revolution...
, he joined the People's Security Army and was shocked by the way the troops treated the villagers. In 1950, after hearing a speech by one of their commanders, Major Isman, about the harmful effects of the revolution on civilians, he decided to serve the people as a priest. He was ordained in 1959, while studying philosophy and theology at the "Institute Sancti Pauli" in Yogyakarta. He continued to study architecture in Aachen
Aachen
Aachen has historically been a spa town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Aachen was a favoured residence of Charlemagne, and the place of coronation of the Kings of Germany. Geographically, Aachen is the westernmost town of Germany, located along its borders with Belgium and the Netherlands, ...
, Germany, and at the Aspen Institute of Humanistic Studies in Aspen
Aspen
Populus section Populus, of the Populus genus, includes the aspen trees and the white poplar Populus alba. The five typical aspens are all native to cold regions with cool summers, in the north of the Northern Hemisphere, extending south at high altitudes in the mountains. The White Poplar, by...
, Colorado.
He was the author of many novels, short stories, essays and non-fiction works. His novel Burung-Burung Manyar (The Weaver Birds) received the Ramon Magsaysay Award
Ramon Magsaysay Award
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in government, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is often considered Asia's Nobel...
in 1996.
He was known as the father of modern Indonesian architecture
Indonesian architecture
The Architecture of Indonesia reflects the diversity of cultural, historical and geographic influences that have shaped Indonesia as a whole. Invaders, colonisers, missionaries, merchants and traders brought cultural changes that had a profound effect on building styles and techniques....
. He received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture
Aga Khan Award for Architecture
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is an architectural prize established by Aga Khan IV in 1977. It aims to identify and reward architectural concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of Islamic societies in the fields of contemporary design, social housing, community...
in 1992 for his work with the slum dwellers on the banks of the river in Yogyakarta.
His disappointment with the Indonesian educational system
Education in Indonesia
Education in Indonesia is the responsibility of the Ministry of National Education of Indonesia and the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Indonesia...
inspired him to explore alternative systems. He founded the "Elementary Education Dynamics Foundation", as well as an exploratory elementary school project for those who were displaced by the Kedung Ombo reservoir.
He always sympathised with the poor and oppressed, and was a strong opponent of the Soeharto regime.
Awards
- Golden Windmill Award for fiction/literary works from Radio Nederland
- Aga Khan Award for Architecture 1992 for Kali Code, Yogyakarta
- Indonesian Institute of Architects Award 1991 for Marian Shrine in Sendangsono
- Ramon Magsaysay Award 1996
Architectural projects
- Kali Code Urban Settlement, Yogyakarta : Aga Khan Award 1992
- Sendangsono (Marian shrine)
- Semarang Apostolic Building
- Gedung Bentara Budaya, Jakarta
- Gereja Katolik Jetis, Yogyakarta
- Gereja Katolik Cilincing, Jakarta
- Markas Kowihan II
- Kampus II Universitas Surabaya
Writings in English
- The Weaverbirds, translated by Thomas M. Hunter ; John H. McGlynn, editor. Lontar Foundation, 1991. 316 p.
- Durga/Umayi, translated by Ward Keeler. University of Washington Press ; Singapore : Singapore University Press, c2004. 212 p. ISBN 0-295-98392-2