Ahmad Tohari's Literary House Becomes a Community Learning Space

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon has assessed that the Ahmad Tohari Literary House plays a strategic role as a literacy centre that not only preserves the intellectual heritage of a literary figure but also serves as a space for learning and inspiration for the community. “Every day, the library and reading house are visited by students, university students, and the general public who utilise the collection and various literacy activities organised there,” Fadli Zon said in a statement received in Jakarta on Sunday. The Ahmad Tohari Literary House is located in Tinggarjaya Village, Jatilawang District, Banyumas Regency, Central Java. The inauguration of the Ahmad Tohari Literary House is part of the Ministry of Culture’s ongoing commitment to supporting cultural advancement initiatives originating from the community. “This Ahmad Tohari library reading house can become a living library, a cultural pocket with continuous cultural activities,” said Fadli Zon. “Even though we are implementing efficiency measures, we can carry out revitalisation across approximately 159 cultural assets, including cultural heritage sites and cultural pockets. Mr Ahmad Tohari has initiated a cultural pocket that encourages the younger generation to read, a sort of literacy centre,” he said. Ahmad Tohari welcomed the revitalisation. In his remarks, he spoke of the bustling visitors and the many cross-generational discussions fostered through the library he manages. The author has contributed to advancing Indonesian literature through various works, including the novel ‘Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk’, which portrays the life of the Banyumas community along with humanistic values, local traditions, and the distinctiveness of the Banyumasan language. The adaptation of the novel ‘Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk’ into the film ‘Sang Penari’ further broadened public appreciation for the cultural richness of Banyumas. Fadli Zon stated that the spirit built by Ahmad Tohari aligns with the mandate of Article 32 Paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution, namely to advance Indonesia’s national culture amidst world civilisation through literary works, and has carried out a cultural mission by presenting humanistic values, national identity, and local wisdom to the wider community. Literature, according to him, is one of the oldest forms of cultural expression, playing an important role in recording the journey of history, building national character, and strengthening Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy. Indonesia currently faces the challenge of suboptimal connectivity between Indonesian literary works and international readers. Responding to this challenge, the Ministry of Culture is presenting various strategic programmes to strengthen the national literary ecosystem. These programmes include the Translator and Literary Promoter Laboratory, Translation of Literary Works, Strengthening of Literary Communities and Festivals, National Talent Management in the Field of Literature, and Intellectual Property (IP)-Based Literary Development.