What was the best decision Brian Johns ever made? In 2005, Johns – legendary leader of Penguin Books Australia, publisher of Elizabeth Jolley, Thea Astley, Frank Moorhouse, and so many others, and later managing director of the ABC and SBS – nominated his publication of the Buru Quartet, by … [Read more...]
Pramoedya Ananta Toer and the Buru Quartet: ‘At least I’ve told these stories to you’
April 7, 2025 by
Rancagé awards face recurring challenges in promoting regional literature
March 30, 2025 by
The Rancagé awards are given annually based on the assessment of literary works in book format written in regional mother tongues. Since 1989, the Rancagé Cultural Foundation has consistently organized the Rancagé Literary Awards to honor literary works written in regional languages as a form of … [Read more...]
Koko Hendri Lubis, Digging Up Literary Treasures from Medan Comics and Romances
March 28, 2025 by
From years of literary treasure-hunting, Koko wrote a number of important books. He brought to light Medan comics and romances and their forgotten writers. Novels and comics from Medan flourished during the 1930s to the 1960s, then faded into obscurity. Koko Hendri Lubis (47) has been uncovering … [Read more...]
Pramoedya Ananta Toer: A walking contradiction
February 11, 2025 by
One the one hand, he had a penchant for writing broad, sweeping historical novels like Arus Balik (Turning of the Tide) or the four novels under the Buru Quartet, but on the other, the rebel writer also penned personal and introspective works like Gadis Pantai (Girl from the Beach) and his magnum … [Read more...]
Pramoedya centenary festival to kick off in hometown Blora
February 8, 2025 by
A yearlong cultural festival will celebrate the birth centenary and legacy of the award-winning author, beginning with a two-day inaugural event on Feb. 6 in his Central Java hometown. — The Central Java city of Blora, the hometown of renowned author Pramoedya Ananta Toer, is getting ready to … [Read more...]