The 1965 mass killings of suspected communists has long cast a shadow over Indonesia. Despite a growing movement of reconciliation activists who seek to redeem the position of victims into everyday life, the Indonesian nation has not come to terms with the role played by the state in the killings … [Read more...]
Found in Translation: Putting Indonesian Novels on the Map
May 20, 2018 by
In the international world of books and literature, Indonesia has long been a blank spot on the map as only a handful of writers from the country, including Pramoedya Ananta Toer and Mochtar Lubis, are internationally known and read. A new series of Indonesian literature translated into English … [Read more...]
How literature awakens nationalism in times of uncertainty
May 20, 2018 by
Literature has played a significant role in shaping this country’s history. It was through the voice of Max Havelaar, written by Eduard Douwes Dekker under the name of Multatuli, that the Indonesian youth’s spirit of nationalism was ignited, which led to the Awakening Movement in 1908. Max … [Read more...]
The Contribution Of Indonesian Novels, Short Stories And Poetry Towards Tolerance As To The G-30-s Trauma
May 19, 2018 by
Introduction Probably the most traumatic experience of modern Indonesia has been the abortive coup of September 30, 1965, which in the end did cost the lives of hundreds of thousands people, most of them totally innocent. Both in Indonesia itself and elsewhere a debate is still going on as to who … [Read more...]
Makassar Writers Festival aims to unite in diversity
May 16, 2018 by
Domestic and foreign writers gathering at the 2017 Makassar International Writers Festival (MIWF) hope to ease sectarian tension across Indonesia via seminars, exhibitions and writing workshops held at the Fort Rotterdam from Tuesday to Saturday. The annual festival has been organized by Rumata' … [Read more...]