Feature: A couple's enduring memories of 1955 Asian-African Conference

Inen Rusnan (R), an Indonesian photographer assigned to cover the 1955 Asian-African Conference, and his wife Dedeh Kurniasih, who also witnessed the monumental conference, are pictured during an interview with Xinhua in Bandung, Indonesia, March 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

by Hayati Nupus, Ye Pingfan

JAKARTA, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Inen Rusnan was the youngest Indonesian photographer assigned to cover the 1955 Asian-African Conference held in Indonesia's Bandung. At just 18 years old, he tirelessly moved back and forth, capturing images of delegates from every participating country throughout the historic event.

When Xinhua interviewed him recently at his home in Bandung, Inen was already 88 years old. He answered questions with the help of his wife, Dedeh Kurniasih, 78, who also witnessed the monumental conference.

On the morning of April 18, 1955, Inen rode his motorbike through Bandung's streets toward the Homann Hotel. In his bag, he carried up to 20 rolls of film, which he would replenish once all were used. His first assignment was in the hotel lobby, where he photographed various delegates as they awaited the arrival of then-Indonesian President Sukarno. After completing that task, he headed to Merdeka Building, the conference's main venue.

From a balcony overlooking the hall, Inen captured the proceedings, including Sukarno's powerful speech. "Photographs are witnesses to history," Inen told Xinhua. "I took pictures of all the delegates, especially those seated in the very important person section, as well as every key moment."

In 1955, photography technology was still limited -- images were in black and white, and only a few people knew how to operate a camera. Inen was among them, having learned photography at 16 from his foster father, James Adiwijaya, who owned the James Press Photo Agency. It was James who brought Inen to the conference, where his photos were distributed to newspapers and the event's committee.

Between sessions, Inen rushed to a photo studio 5 km away to develop his images. Some were sent to newspapers for the next day's headlines, while others became souvenirs for delegates. Today, many of his works are displayed at Merdeka Building, now the Museum of the Asian-African Conference.

Meanwhile, Dedeh Kurniasih, then a second-grade student, was among the children chosen to welcome the delegates. She remembered waking up early that day, her excitement palpable as she and her classmates rode in delmans (horse-drawn carriages) to Merdeka Building.

"Bandung was so lively back then," Dedeh recalled. "People lined the streets, men, women, the elderly, and children, all cheering as delegates walked past in their traditional attire." She and the crowd waved flags and sang "Halo-Halo Bandung" during the historic procession from Homann Hotel.

After marrying Inen, Dedeh gained deeper insight into the conference through his photographs. Now, the couple often receives visits from journalists and researchers, and they occasionally take their grandchildren to the museum to share their memories.

Though seven decades have passed, the 1955 Asian-African Conference remains a defining chapter in their lives, a testament to a moment when the world came together in Bandung. And a young photographer, along with a schoolgirl, became part of history. ■

This photo taken on March 18, 2025 shows the venue for the 1955 Asian-African Conference in Bandung, Indonesia. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)