Last week, Norman Erikson Pasaribu, a young short-story writer and poet from Bekasi, West Java, released a collection of poems entitled "Sergius Mencari Bacchus" (Sergius Searches for Bacchus). The collection won first prize at the Jakarta Arts Council's Poetry Manuscript Competition held last … [Read more...]

My first approach to Indonesian Literature in translation came unexpectedly through the Italian book club in Jakarta where we read the book Pulang (Home) by Indonesian female author, Leila S. Chudori. I read the book, I met Leila Chudori personally and after this unforgettable initiation, I joined … [Read more...]

[hide for="!logged"]‘When the Japanese were in power, I realized that the Dutch East Indies with all of its aristocratic ways, was finished. I must have the guts to say goodbye to it. And whatever fate befalls me, I will remain here.’ On August 17, 1945, almost immediately after the Japanese … [Read more...]

Charles Darwin defined The Law of the Jungle as “the principle that those who are strong and apply ruthless self-interest will be most successful”. The jungle is a place full of competition and individuals fighting for their survival where species defend their spot in the food chain and participate … [Read more...]