Alumni of SMAN 8 Jakarta (Smandel) who belong to EXPA (former\nnature-loving sons and daughters) have published the book \u2018EXPA: A Space\nfor Learning to Become Human: The Journey of Nature Lovers\u2019. The book is\na record of the experiences of Smandel\u2019s nature-loving community.<\/p>\n
According to a statement received on Tuesday (15 September 2026), the\n280-page book, featuring contributions from 27 writers, was published by\nPrenada Media Jakarta in August 2026 as part of the celebrations marking\nSmandel\u2019s 68th anniversary. Written by students, alumni and teachers,\nthe book is aimed at Smandel alumni and the general public, and is also\nset to be distributed through the Gramedia bookstore network.<\/p>\n
The book\u2019s production would not have been possible without the\nsupport of an editorial team of five alumni from various year groups:\nSuradi and Sulistya Pribadi (Smandel class of 1982), Didot Mpu Diantoro\n(1983), Raditya Padmawangsa (1985) and Endang Mariani (1984). The five\neditors, all experienced in the world of literacy, also contributed\nmanuscripts of their own. The book\u2019s design was supported by Smandel\nclass of 1991 alumnus Aa Sugriwa, who designed the cover and layout.<\/p>\n
The launch and discussion of \u2018EXPA: A Space for Learning to Become\nHuman: The Journey of Nature Lovers\u2019 (RBMM) took place at SMAN 8 Jakarta\non Saturday (12 September 2026). The launch was marked by the lowering\nof a mock-up, or large book cover, from a 15-metre climbing wall by two\nSMAN 8 Jakarta students who are members of the school\u2019s Putra-Putri\nPencinta Alam (Puapala) nature-loving club.<\/p>\n
The head of SMAN 8 Jakarta, Ubaidillah, expressed his admiration for\nthe alumni. He commended the creative Smandel alumni for setting the\nbest example for their juniors, including in the process of compiling\nand publishing the RBMM book.<\/p>\n
Following the lowering of the book cover, a symbolic handover\nceremony was held, with copies presented to the headmaster, renowned\nphotographer Don Hasman, and EXPA chairman Darius Krisdanu Purwana. A\nbook discussion was then held at the Sasana Krida Hall of SMAN 8\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
An extraordinary breakthrough<\/p>\n
The book discussion was attended by the headmaster, alumni from\nvarious backgrounds and invited guests. Those present included Don\nHasman, known as a specialist nature photographer; the chair of Kerabat\nPencinta Alam, Evayanti; Sigit Prabowo, representing the Federasi\nMountaineering Indonesia DKI; and Giga, CEO of Big Adventure and also a\nSmandel alumnus.<\/p>\n
Also in attendance were the chairs and representatives of various\nnature-loving communities across Indonesia, including Mapala UI, Kerabat\nPencinta Alam (KPA), Sispala DKI Jakarta, the Jabodetabek Hikers\u2019 Forum\nand KAPA UI, as well as several senior figures from Smandel\u2019s\nnature-loving movement, such as Heryus Saputro, \u2018Ciwo\u2019 Siswoyo Adi and\nKrisna Purwana.<\/p>\n
Before the discussion began, a performance was given by \u2018Gita\nTakitri\u2019, a choir of Smandel alumni spanning multiple year groups.<\/p>\n
The discussion, moderated by Endang Mariani, featured responses from\nSmandel class of 1975 alumnus Prof Wahyu Wibowo (a senior journalist and\nprofessor of language philosophy), Agus Rusono (a professional trainer)\nand Didiek Pranowo (a trip creator), who serves as EXPA\u2019s\nsecretary-general.<\/p>\n
Don Hasman said he was proud and grateful that SMAN 8 had\nnature-loving activists capable of such a remarkable breakthrough as\npublishing a book. He praised the fact that the entire experience of\nSmandel\u2019s nature lovers during their time in Puapala had been\nsuccessfully captured in book form.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo my knowledge, this is the first book published by a secondary\nschool\u2019s nature-loving community. Hopefully it can serve as a guide for\nother nature-loving activists. This book was written by remarkable\npeople,\u201d said Don.<\/p>\n
Nature as the most honest space for learning<\/p>\n
In his response, Prof Wahyu Wibowo expressed high appreciation for\nthe EXPA book. He reviewed it from a philosophical and post-truth\nperspective, that is, when objective facts no longer shape public\nopinion.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we look closely at the writings of the 27 authors in RBMM,\nreflection \u2014 the contemplation of one\u2019s own experiences in search of\nidentity \u2014 remains underlined by all of them. That is interesting,\nbecause books today are not usually published in such an old-fashioned\nspirit. So what kind of readership are they actually targeting?\u201d he\nasked.<\/p>\n
Umar Freudo, a member of the Federasi Mountaineering Indonesia DKI\nJakarta who was also present, voiced his appreciation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an excellent book, because not many publications discuss\nmountaineering or climbing in connection with character development,\u201d\nsaid Umar.<\/p>\n
According to Umar, nature is the most honest space for learning, and\nalso a pre-linguistic space \u2014 a place where humans learn before being\nshaped by the words of others.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeaches are enjoyable, mountains bring calm. That is the direction I\nsee this book taking. Its title, \u2018A Space for Learning to Become Human\u2019,\nmeans that humans learn to seek tranquillity, and with calm they can\nthink clearly and behave well. Friends, you must read and buy this book,\nbecause it is unlike anything I have read before,\u201d said Umar.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, EXPA chairman Darius Krisdanu expressed hope that the book\nwould serve not merely as an archive of EXPA\u2019s journeys, but also as a\nsource of knowledge and inspiration for nature lovers across generations\n\u2014 a documentation of how nature becomes both teacher and a space for\nlearning to become human.<\/p>\n
Endang Mariani, one of the writers and editors who moderated the book\ndiscussion, said the launch could mark the starting point for further\npublications, such as technical guides on outdoor activities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope this EXPA debut book will be followed by the publication of\na series of technical guides for outdoor activities, covering caving,\nrafting, wall climbing, rock climbing, hiking, mountaineering and\ndisaster response, according to each contributor\u2019s field of expertise,\u201d\nshe said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/68th-anniversary-smandel-alumni-launch-book-expa-a-space-for-learning-to-become-human-1789444441", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }