Author Pramoedya celebrates birthday

JAKARTA: Friends and members of the literary community have arranged two events to celebrate the 80th birthday of Indonesia's most prominent author, Pramoedya Ananta Toer, on Sunday.

In the first event at 11:30 a.m. in the lounge of the Pakubuwono apartments in South Jakarta, Pramoedya will be showered with presents and speeches from fellow writers.

Two books about Pramoedya's works, which have been translated into 40 languages, will also be launched during the event.

At 8 p.m., the Jakarta Arts Council will hold a gathering at Galeri III at the Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center on Jl. Cikini Raya in Central Jakarta.

Pramoedya is expected to speak during the event. -- JP