Indonesian Heritage Society Presents the History of Vitamin B1 Discovery

The Indonesian Heritage Society (IHS) will welcome Dutch science historian Rob van den Berg in November 2026 for the Indonesian-language launch of his book, De Vitaminepioniers, exploring Indonesia’s role in a major medical discovery.

First published in Dutch in 2024, the book traces the century-old search for a cure for beriberi, a disease that claimed thousands of lives. While scientists initially suspected germs or food poisoning, researchers in Batavia identified the cause as a nutritional deficiency, later linked to vitamin B1 found in rice bran.

The lecture takes place at Resonanz Music Studio, Kebayoran Baru, at 6pm. Tickets cost IDR 50,000 for students, IDR 100,000 for IHS Friends and IDR 150,000 for the public. Register via ihsvccom@gmail.com.