Mads Lange 200th anniversary in Bali

Tuesday September 18th 2007 was the 200th anniversary of Danish explorer Mads Lange. The Mads Lange tomb located at Tuan Lange in Tuban was the scene of a memorial service this morning, with over 100 people, both western and Indonesian listening to speeches and prayers in honor of Mads Lange.

Mads Lange was born in Denmark in September 18th 2007, he first came to Indonesia in 1833 and settled in Lombok working as a rice trader. Local politics combined with foreign competition forced him to leave and settle in Bali a few years later. Lange lived next to the river in Kuta with his wives and extended family. He became extremely influential, had children with a local woman and died at the age of 49.

The Danish Minister of Education gave a speech talking about how Mads Lange was important to the history of Denmark and Bali and how the links will remain. He said 2 weeks ago a memorial service was performed in Denmark and a statue erected. Many of those in attendance were descendants of Mads Lange. A Balinese gamelan orchestra performed off to the side and local dignitaries including the Bali governor and local village heads were in attendance, as was the Danish ambassador.