Media Clippings

Literature is the new cool

Dec 19, 2017 / Jakarta Post by Sebastian Partogi
Recently, there has been increased demand among the Indonesian public for quality literary works thanks to the influence of social media, literary references in popular culture and thriving literary festivals across the country as well as international recognition for some local authors. That is why Indonesian bookworms are seeing more new titles and reprinted works than ever in the literature section of mainstream bookstores — both works penned by local writers as well as translations.

The letters spelled COURAGE: Fighting censorship in Indonesia

Dec 14, 2017 / Right Now by Sam Flynn
There is a creeping silence in Indonesia. At the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Sam Flynn spoke to those who write from the margins, despite the real and violent repercussions they face for doing so.

Indonesian writers share thoughts on Islamic diversity in Brussels

Nov 21, 2017 / Jakarta Post by Keshie Hernitaningtyas
Around 30 people attended a literary event titled "Islamic Diversity in Indonesia" at the Festival Center in the Dynasty Building, Brussels, Belgium, on Monday. Moderated by Manneke Budiman, who teaches literature and cultural studies at the University of Indonesia, the event featured three Indonesian authors whose work involved the topic of Islam in the social context, namely Lily Yulianti Farid, Ben Sohib and Intan Paramaditha.

‘Perempuan Perempuan Chairil’ Promotes Love For Local Theatre And Indonesian Literature

Nov 15, 2017 / Indonesia Tatler by Umesh Bhagchandani
A silhouette stands tall on the stage behind a street lamp prop. He lights a cigarette and begins to soliloquy to the audience about women and his banter with his friend about them. The mysterious figure is Chairil Anwar: Indonesia’s prolific poet from the 1940s who is widely known for his individualist and existentialist poems that changed the face of Indonesian literature, and his banter was with HB Jassin, another literary figure of the time, which serves as the opening monologue for Perempuan Perempuan Chairil (Chairil’s Women).

John McGlynn & Lontar Foundation: Translating & Preserving Indonesian Literature

Nov 08, 2017 / Ubud Now & Then by Eddie Dobbins
The theme for this year’s Ubud Writers & Readers Festival was ‘Sangkan Paraning Dumadi’, or ‘Origins’ – a term that “speaks to our eternal connection to where we have come from, and to where we will ultimately return.” This ties in well with the work of John McGlynn, who has devoted his entire life to putting Indonesian literature into the global conversation through the Lontar Foundation (founded in 1987).

Facing history

Oct 18, 2017 / Inside Indonesia by Andy Fuller Elsa Clave
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 that left hundreds of thousands dead, imprisoned or deeply traumatised. Many people in positions of power regard this aspect of Indonesia’s history to be finished and in the distant past. But that is not the case for the victims and survivors of the mass killings.

Politics on poets’ mind

Oct 09, 2017 / Jakarta Post by A. Kurniawan Ulung
A poem is not just a bunch of words. Poems have the power to shift our political consciousness, make strong statements and trigger a movement. Poems can shake the world.

Max Lane brings millennial generation closer to works of Pramoedya

Oct 08, 2017 / Asia Pacific Report by James Balowski
A discussion with Max Lane analysing Pramoedya and his Buru Quartet — a series of four novels that have gained acclaim throughout the world — was held recently in the grounds of the Malang State University (UNM) Library Cafe in East Java.

Weekly Dispatches from the Frontlines of World Literature – October 6, 2017

Oct 06, 2017 / Asymptote by Valent Mustamin
October will become one of the busiest months for literature scene in Indonesia. Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF), which will feature more than 150 speakers over five days, announced their official schedule this week, and a biennale Literature and Ideas Festival (LIFEs) is currently being held in Salihara, not to mention the Asia Pacific Writers & Translators (APWT)’s 10th Annual Gathering in Bali taking place three days before UWRF.

Festivals are helping to put Asian literature on the map

Oct 05, 2017 / Travel Wire Asia by Surekha Ragavan
In Asia, the appeal of literary festivals is sometimes limited to avid readers or to those in the arts, and doesn’t yet draw mainstream interest. This could be attributed to many factors: a fragmented reading culture, restricted freedoms of speech, or a lack of funding and marketing. Whatever the reasons may be, literary festivals in Asia should get more attention than they currently do, especially considering the region’s rich literary history and diverse make-up.