Nazi-Themed Cafe in Indonesia Reopens After Closure

When the Soldier Coffee House (SoldatenKaffee) in Bandung, Indonesia, reopened recently, it reignited international debate over public displays of Nazi iconography. The café, which first drew global attention in 2013, had previously featured swastikas, Adolf Hitler portraits, and other Third Reich memorabilia — prompting swift condemnation and a temporary shutdown. Now back in business, the café still includes items tied to World War II, raising questions about historical sensitivity and freedom of expression in Indonesia.

The café reopened in late June 2024 after being closed for roughly a year. Though its owner claims to have removed prominent Nazi symbols like swastika flags, three iron eagle statues with Nazi insignia were still on display during the reopening, according to Agence France-Presse.

What Is the Soldier Coffee House?

The Soldier Coffee House is a themed café located in Bandung, a city southeast of Jakarta. Opened in 2011, it originally went unnoticed until a local English-language newspaper covered it in July 2013, thrusting it into the global spotlight. The café’s name and interior decor — including Nazi flags, portraits of Hitler, and military memorabilia — were intended as a World War II homage, but were widely condemned as offensive, especially for glamorizing Nazi ideology.

Why Was It Shut Down Initially?

Following intense international criticism, especially from European nations where Nazi symbolism is heavily regulated or banned outright, the Indonesian government intervened. Authorities summoned the owner, Henry Mulyana, who then chose to close the café temporarily. Reports from French newspaper Le Figaro in June 2023 indicated the closure came after a year of mounting global outrage and threats directed at Mulyana.

What Changed When It Reopened?

According to Mulyana’s lawyer, speaking to Agence France-Presse, the café underwent renovations ahead of reopening. He claimed that overt Nazi symbols, such as swastika flags, were removed. However, the reopening still featured controversial elements — notably three cast-iron eagle sculptures with wings adorned by Nazi insignia. These remained on display as of the reopening date, suggesting only a partial removal of the most provocative imagery.

To deflect further criticism, the café broadened its theme to include other World War II figures, displaying informational material and memorabilia related to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin alongside the remaining Nazi items. This expanded focus did not appease critics, as the core issue — the continued presence of Nazi-related decor — remained unresolved.

Why Isn’t Nazi Imagery Illegal in Indonesia?

Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population and a secular government, does not have specific laws prohibiting the display or promotion of Nazi symbols. This legal gap allows private businesses like the Soldier Coffee House to showcase such material without immediate legal consequences, even as the content remains deeply offensive to many both locally and internationally.

In contrast, numerous European countries, including Germany, Austria, and France, have strict laws banning the public display of Nazi insignia and propaganda due to the atrocities committed under the Third Reich. The absence of comparable regulations in Indonesia has made it a rare outlier where such displays can persist in public spaces, albeit controversially.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Soldier Coffee House located?

The Soldier Coffee House is located in Bandung, a major city in West Java, situated southeast of Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta. It first gained international notoriety after being featured in local media in 2013.

Why did the café originally close?

The café closed in 2023 following widespread international condemnation for displaying Nazi symbols, including swastikas and portraits of Adolf Hitler. Indonesian authorities summoned the owner, Henry Mulyana, amid threats and global backlash.

What controversial items remain in the café?

As of its reopening in mid-2024, the café still features at least three iron eagle statues with Nazi insignia on their wings. While the owner claims to have removed swastika flags, critics note that the overall theme still includes Nazi-related memorabilia.

Has the café changed its theme after reopening?

The owner expanded the theme to include other World War II leaders such as Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin, displaying their memorabilia alongside the remaining Nazi items. However, the core controversy remains due to the Nazi-related objects still present.

Is displaying Nazi symbols illegal in Indonesia?

No, Indonesia has no specific laws against displaying Nazi symbols. This legal absence allows the café to operate with such decor, unlike many European countries where such displays are strictly prohibited.

What was the public reaction to the reopening?

The reopening drew immediate international criticism, with many expressing outrage that Nazi-themed elements were still on display. Local and global observers continue to question the ethical implications of glorifying such historical atrocities.

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