RRI.CO.ID, Kota Bukittinggi - Forty nations will join an international seminar marking Jam Gadang's centennial, placing the icon on the global architectural map. Scheduled for June 2026 in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, the landmark event will transition from a local celebration into a high-level academic and cultural exchange exploring a century-old legacy of the "Big Ben of the East."

Bukittinggi Mayor, Ramlan Nurmatias, announced the significant international interest during a briefing on Monday, March 24, 2026. He noted that the seminar and literacy series are part of a broader commemorative framework designed to honor the tower's history since its construction in 1926 during the Dutch East Indies era.

As reported by Antara, the event is expected to feature high-profile dignitaries, including Indonesian Culture Minister Fadli Zon and the Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia.

"There are already 40 countries registered to participate in the seminar and literacy programs within the series of the Jam Gadang 100th-anniversary commemoration," said Mayor Ramlan.

He emphasized that the gathering aims to uncover historical nuances that remain largely unknown to the general public, providing a deeper understanding of the 27-meter-tall structure.

As part of the technical deep-dive, the Bukittinggi City Administration plans to invite leading architects to analyze the tower's unique structural integrity. Particular attention will be paid to the roof's distinctive Minangkabau design, which symbolizes the fusion of colonial-era engineering and local cultural identity.

The Mayor, who served as the city's 21st and 23rd leader, also highlighted two specific mechanical and aesthetic marvels that make the tower a global rarity. The first is the unusual use of "IIII" for the Roman numeral four, rather than the standard "IV." The second is the clock’s internal machinery, which is one of only two such movements ever manufactured.

"The first is in Bukittinggi, and the second is in Big Ben, England," concluded the Mayor. ***