Guess What? Hamsad Rangkuti

Guess What? Hamsad Rangkuti

Hamsad Rangkuti, a leading Indonesian short story writer and
chief editor of Horison art magazine, is happy now. He and
Ikranegara, a dramatist and editor at the same magazine, will
journey this month to Mecca on a Haj pilgrimage sponsored by the
Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Every year the ministry sponsors several artists for the
pilgrimage.

"I have long wished to go, but can not afford it on my own,"
says Hamsad.

Hamsad hopes to return from the Holy Land with a clean heart
and mind, with lots of inspiration for short stories.

"I hope to write about ten stories on religious experiences
when I return," he said.

Thus far, the 52 year old man has written more than 200 short
stories, 25 of which have been collected in two books, entitled
Lukisan Perkawinan (Painting of Marriage) and Cemara (Pine tree).

Two of his short stories have been translated into English.
One, called Pagar (Fence), has been published in five
publications in and outside Indonesia, including The Jakarta
Post.

"I have received Rp 1 million in total from the five
publications," he happily said. (jsk)