Charlie Chaplin, New Majestic, and Bandung

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDUNG - As the capital of West Java province in Indonesia, Bandung is famous for old buildings. One of the renowned buildings is New Majestic in Braga Street number 1. Built in 1920 by Dutch colonial, the building was named Asia Africa Culture Center (AACC). On the colonial era, the building functioned as theater or entertainment place for noblemen and colonial elites.

The building was very famous that Charlie Chaplin, an English comic actor, made his visit. Every weekend, the building, designed by Dutch technical professor, Wolf K Schumacher, and his student, Soekarno (Indonesian first president), was always visited by European nobleman who came to Bandung.

In this place, they looked for entertainment by watching Western movies. Until now, the heritage of Majestic Theater, which is two units of one-meter high projectors, is still in the building. Both rare objects are out of function but they are stored in the corner of main hall in Majestic building.

The notable part of this building is its vertical and horizontal protruding stripes or known as Indoeuro architectural style. This 700 meter square building is located in the heart of the city. It is the asset of West Java provincial government under the management of Service and Tourism Local Company (PD Jawi). Since it was managed by Centra Aksara Komunikasi on the early of 2010, the building was rearranged without degrading the cultural heritage value.

“The building is for mini opera in Bandung,” the Director of PD Jawi, Tenny Wishramwan, said.

The authority of New Majestic, Achmad Shahabudin, said the building became the art place for artist and humanist in Bandung. The number of colossal show, whether it is Sundanese, modern, or cabaret, is routinely held in the building.

The artists said that they were proud to perform in New Majestic. “This building should be the icon of Bandung. The existence should be maintained,” Shahabudin said. He hopes that people concern to participate in conserving the building.

“The participation is ranging. They can rent this building for party. Some of the rental cost is for the maintenance of this 87-year-old building,” he said.