JAKARTA- Nations in Southeast Asia
grouped in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), share
many similarities in culture and literature. Proximity within one
sub-region, shared history of being colonized, level of democratization
and economic development, as well as shared ancestors, ethnicity and
language become factors that should necessitate the nations to meet in
one literary event to discuss way to have a better future.
The ASEAN Literay Festival (ALF) then
becomes the first event to gather all ASEAN countries, in one literary
festival as one community of literature. This event held by Muara
Foundation with full support from Hivos and the Indonesian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. This international event will take place at Taman
Ismail Marzuki Jakarta, from March 21 to 23, 2014.
“ASEAN Literary Festival 2014 is being
organized as a platform for writers, artists and the general public in
the region to get to know one another in greater depth,” said Abdul
Khalik, director of the 2014 ASEAN Literary Festival, in Jakarta.
For this year, ALF carries the theme "Anthems for the Common People".
It is inspired by poem “Song of the Grassroots” by Indonesian
influential poet and human rights activist, Wiji Thukul. With the
theme, the festival wants to dedicate itself to become the voice of
ordinary people. The event exists as a people's festival where
literature and art will be brought closer to the public and celebrated
by all.
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| Workshop 'Beyond Poetry Reading" by Khairani Barokka,Khrisna Pabichara | and Low Kok Wai (Singapore) |
Beside series of discussions with topics
mostly about how literature contributes to society, there will also be
workshop, art performances, poetry reading, book signing, book
exhibition, children’s literature, writer’s corners, publisher’s
corners, community corner, and many more.
“We intend to hold more than just an event, but we are here to build a tradition,” said Abdul Khalik.
The festival itself seeks to become a
medium to show appreciation to writers and introduce them to wider
international audience while being one of the bridges to get people of
literature and the public in the region to know each other.
More than 40 prominent writers, scholars
and artists from most of ASEAN countries and non-ASEAN countries such as
China and Australia, have already confirmed to attend the festival,
which is free and open for public. Also, more than 600 people from
across Indonesia and the region have confirmed to participate in the
thee-day event, a surprisingly high interest to a literary festival even
when the organizer have not started to conduct real publication.
One of ASEAN’s best literary figures will
deliver a general lecture on the contribution of literature to the
society at the opening of the festival.
For details of the event, please visit www.aseanliteraryfestival.com. And you can register via Press Registration also.
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