Media Clippings

Literature Marks the Times

Oct 17, 2025 / Kompas.id by Linda Christanty
Every literary work always marks its era, without exception. Nevertheless, the innovator forges their own path, boldly rejecting conventional rules. Chairil Anwar, a 20th-century Indonesian poet, pioneered the liberation of Indonesian poetry from all forms of constraint and structural rigidity inherent in traditional poetry by creating modern poetry. The works of European and American poets also influenced his creative process.

Access to increasingly open knowledge resources in this digital era provides greater opportunities for writers to innovate, breakthrough, or experiment in their work. It was also during this period that Nukila Amal wrote Cala Ibi (2003), a postmodern novel about female identity and communal conflict. She uses geometric motifs, such as doubling and mirroring, to present a layered and recurring fragmentary structure to the story. The plot is non-linear. Dreams and reality blend. She is known as one of the innovators in contemporary Indonesian literature.

The Universe Unfolds: Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2025

Oct 01, 2025 / Seasia by Mohammad Reiza
A Celebration of Global Storytelling

The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (UWRF) is set to return from October 29 to November 2, 2025, with a stellar lineup of Indonesian and international storytellers. The festival's theme, "Aham Brahmasmi – I Am the Universe," invites participants to explore the interconnectedness of human experience and the universe. With less than a month to go, anticipation is building for the 22nd Festival, promising to be a transformative experience for all participants.

A Bridge Between Cultures

UWRF continues to solidify its reputation as one of Southeast Asia's premier literary events, featuring over 200 diverse and thought-provoking programs. Award-winning authors, leading journalists, and political commentators will take part in powerful sessions designed to foster dialogue that transcends borders, inspires change, and strengthens the global literary community.

‘Historical amnesia’: Indonesia’s fight over plan to amend history books

Aug 15, 2025 / Guardian by Michael Neilson
Anger the controversial plan coincides with anime flag movement, seen as a critique on the decline of democratic freedoms under President Prabowo. Indonesia has delayed plans to publish a set of controversial history books amid backlash from historians and activists who have accused the project of being an attempt to downplay past atrocities, and represents “historical amnesia”.

In May Indonesia’s culture minister Fadli Zon announced the planned release of a 10-volume “official history” project. The set of new books would remove colonial bias, feature updated research, promote national pride and have a “positive” tone, he said.

Resisting oppression with speculative fiction: Anselma’s path to Nebula Awards

Jun 28, 2025 / Jakarta Post by Nur Janti
June has been a month of blessings for Anselma Widha Prihandita, who won a Nebula Award on June 7 for her novelette Negative Scholarship on the Fifth State of Being, just days before earning a PhD in language and rhetoric from the University of Washington in the United States.

She is the first Indonesian author to earn recognition from the prestigious Nebula Awards, given annually by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA).

“This story is about resisting oppression both epistemic and material but above all it's about kindness. It's my way of saying that I hope we'll always find a way to be kind even to those we cannot understand,” she said during her acceptance speech.

Indonesia Celebrates Literature Day with Taufiq Ismail Tribute

Jun 26, 2025 / RRI by Ofra Regina
In commemoration of the 12th Indonesian Literature Day, the Ministry of Culture held a special ceremony at the Plasa Insan Berprestasi, Ministry of Education and Culture complex Wednesday, (25/06/2025). The highlight of the event was the launch of a six-volume book collection honoring the 90th birthday of Taufiq Ismail, one of Indonesia’s most esteemed literary figures. This celebration reflected the ministry’s firm commitment to strengthening the national literary ecosystem.

In Indonesia, fears grow that dark past may be rewritten with government’s new history books

May 19, 2025 / Reuters by Ananda Teresia Gayatri Suroyo
The Indonesian government's plan to release new history books has sparked concerns that some of the country's darkest chapters could be recast to show President Prabowo Subianto and late authoritarian ruler Suharto in a favourable light.

The 10-volume series would have an Indonesia-centric narrative and aims "to reinvent the Indonesian identity," Culture Minister Fadli Zon told Reuters in an interview.

Voices of Change: The Phan Waen Fah Award and Political Literature

Mar 31, 2025 / Bangkok Post by Thana Boonlert
The Phan Waen Fah Award continues to recognize literary works that engage with politics and social issues, highlighting the power of storytelling in shaping public discourse. This year’s winners explore themes of democracy, freedom, and ethics, reinforcing the role of writers in reflecting societal challenges.

Thanya Sangkhaphanthanon, a SEA Write Award recipient, noted that inspiration can come from personal history, citing Mochtar Lubis, an influential name among Indonesian writers. His short story Portrait portrays the struggles of an old street vendor in Suharto’s New Order era, demonstrating how literature captures political realities—an approach echoed in many winning works of the Phan Waen Fah Award.

"Write about a soldier, not a war. Write about something small like Mochtar Lubis. You can't draw a map for the whole world, but can make a point," he said.

The Meru Sanur Opens Bali Berkisah 2025 with ‘Mata Aksara’, A Celebration of Culture Through Storytelling

Mar 25, 2025 / Bali News
Immersing itself in the rich tapestry of Bali’s cultural and literary heritage, The Meru Sanur proudly inaugurates ‘Mata Aksara,’ a distinguished program dedicated to the art of storytelling. In partnership with Yayasan Mudra Swari Saraswati, the esteemed organizer of the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, this literary soirée opens the curtain for ‘Bali Berkisah 2025.’ The highlight of the evening was the exclusive launch of celebrated Indonesian author Andre Syahreza’s latest work, ‘All Because of Nirankara’ (Semua Karena Nirankara), held at the elegant Sutasoma Lounge of The Meru Sanur on Friday, March 21, 2025.

A Tale Woven from Bali’s Literary Legacy
Drawing inspiration from the 1936 classic Sukreni, Balinese Girl, Syahreza meticulously crafted a compelling narrative that intricately weaves themes of romance, economic ambition, power, and desire, set against the evocative backdrop of modern-day Bali. This novel, born from six months of meticulous research and writing in Singaraja, North Bali, stands as a testament to the enduring vibrancy of Indonesia’s literary landscape. Officially published by Kompas Gramedia, its unveiling at Mata Aksara and Bali Berkisah heralds a new chapter in contemporary Indonesian storytelling.

Indonesia joins as country partner for Kalinga Literary Festival

Mar 12, 2025 / Indian Printer and Publisher
The Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF), one of India’s literary and cultural events, announced Indonesia as its official country partner for the upcoming edition of KLF being organized from 21 to 23 March 2025. This partnership aims to celebrate the deep-rooted historical and cultural connections between Indonesia and India while paving the way for stronger bilateral relations through literature, arts, and cultural exchange.

Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi, the Ambassador of Indonesia to India will join as guest of honour, Indonesian novelist and essayist Mahfud Ikhwan, Undri – director of Cultural Promotion,  the Indonesian Ministry of Culture will join as speaker at the festival.

Rancagé awards face recurring challenges in promoting regional literature

Mar 11, 2025 / Jakarta Post by Adi Marsiela
The Rancagé awards celebrate the richness of Indonesian literature by recognizing outstanding works in regional languages such as Sundanese, Javanese, Balinese, Batak, and Lampung. Since 1989, this initiative has encouraged Indonesian writers to preserve and elevate their linguistic heritage, despite challenges in readership and public engagement.

In 2025, the awards honored five authors across different linguistic categories, reinforcing the importance of regional literature in shaping Indonesia’s literary landscape. As the Rancagé Cultural Foundation seeks wider recognition and support, these awards continue to inspire Indonesian writers to contribute to their respective literary traditions, ensuring the survival and appreciation of diverse mother tongues.