Spreading the literary word across Java<\/p>\n
By Sori Siregar<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): As we all know, literature has been poorly
\ntaught in our schools for decades. The lack of knowledgeable
\nteachers is said to be one of main reasons for this. What also
\ndoesn't help matters any is that the time given to teaching
\nliterature is inadequate since it is considered to be only one
\nsmall aspect of language teaching.<\/p>\n
In practice, a language teacher -- with a poor knowledge of
\nliterature -- who teaches literature to his or her students,
\ndemands very little from them. Memorize a few names, dates,
\nliterary references, skim through a few stories and poems, etc..<\/p>\n
Thus, it is understandable why the importance of literature
\nhas fallen so dramatically in the eyes of our nation's students.
\nIt is also understandable why most students find it difficult to
\nwrite something as simple as a letter or term paper, let alone a
\npoem or work of fiction.<\/p>\n
Realizing this, Yayasan Indonesia and literary magazine
\nHorison, sponsored by the Ford Foundation, embarked on a literary
\ntour of West Java, Central Java, and Yogyakarta provinces -- Feb.
\n21 through April 22. The main purpose of the tour was to
\nintroduce Indonesian writers to as many students as possible.
\nThey hit 30 high schools in 20 towns in three provinces.<\/p>\n
After being introduced to the students, the writers read their
\nworks, told the students about the process of writing them and
\nthen answered questions. For the organizer, this was one
\nsignificant way in which to foster an appreciation of Indonesian
\nand world literature.<\/p>\n
Among the 43 noted writers who joined the tour were big names
\nsuch as WS Rendra, Sutardji Calzoum Bachri, Taufiq Ismail,
\nSapardi Djoko Damono, NH Dini, Toto Sudarto Bachtiar, Toety
\nHeraty, Ayu Utami, Danarto, Emha Ainun Nadjib, Seno Gumira
\nAjidarma and Abdul Hadi WM.<\/p>\n
The tour began at Cipasung, Tasikmalaya, then moved on to
\nBandung, Solo (Surakarta), Purwokerto, Wonosobo, Yogyakarta,
\nMagelang, Salatiga, Semarang, Rembang, Pekalongan, Tegal,
\nCirebon, Majalengka and ended in Sukabumi.<\/p>\n
What was surprising was that the seminars -- which were meant
\nto go on for only two hours -- usually ran longer.<\/p>\n
In Majalengka, for instance, it took four hours for the
\nwriters to answer students' questions.<\/p>\n
Though most of the students had very little knowledge of
\nliterature, many had become acquainted with fiction and poetry
\nthrough newspapers and magazines. They asked very critical
\nquestions of the writers.<\/p>\n
In a reading at SMA Negeri I, Cirebon -- in which I also
\nparticipated -- a student suggested to poet Rendra that he should
\nbe grateful to the New Order regime because his popularity had
\nbeen enhanced by its censorship of him. In response, Rendra told
\nthe student about his experiences -- the repression he faced,
\netc. It was not a pretty picture. He also said that he had been
\npopular long before the New Order came to power.<\/p>\n
In the seminars at Tegal and Cirebon, the distinguished Dutch
\npoet Remco Kampert also joined the Indonesian writers. He read
\nhis poems and explained the creative process of writing through
\nhis interpreter, Rendra.<\/p>\n
The literary tour was warmly received by the Minister of
\nNational Education Yahya Muhaimin who attended the closing
\nseminar in Sukabumi. He said he hoped the program would continue,
\nreaching out to even more remote areas and villages in Indonesia.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/spreading-the-literary-word-across-java-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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