02-02-2026

Papoea Huis, KITLV and the Wereldmuseum Leiden proudly present the Time for Papua seminar series, an interdisciplinary seminar series dedicated to exploring the shared histories between the Netherlands and West Papua, and the ways these histories continue to shape the present. The series brings West Papua to the centre of public conversation.

A seminar series on the legacies and contemporary realities of West Papua

Although the region—once a Dutch colony and part of Indonesia since 1963—holds deep historical ties with the Netherlands, its colonial legacy remains relatively unknown. Yet its impact is unmistakable: influencing social relations, ecological challenges, cultural expression, and identity formation up to today.

Time for Papua invites participants to engage with these themes through scientific, cultural, and personal perspectives. By connecting historical research with contemporary issues such as sustainability, human rights, and postcolonial representation, the series aims to spark new insights and foster meaningful dialogue among students, researchers, artists, community members, and all those interested.

This collaboration between Papoea Huis, KITLV, and the Wereldmuseum Leiden seeks not only to share knowledge but also to deepen public understanding of how past and present remain intertwined—between the Netherlands and West Papua, and within Papuan communities worldwide.

Exhibition Time for Papua

The seminar series takes its name from the upcoming exhibition Time for Papua, opening on 13 February 2026 at the Wereldmuseum Leiden. Together, the exhibition and seminar series create a broader platform for Papuan heritage, contemporary realities, and the voices that carry them. Read more.