Khatulistiwa names winners
The Khatulistiwa Literary Award (KLA) announced its winners in the prose and poetry categories for the 2004-2005 period: writer Seno Gumira Ajidarma and poet Joko Pinurbo.
The awards were conferred on Friday evening in the atrium of Plaza Senayan, Central Jakarta, for Seno's Kitab Omong Kosong (Book of nonsense) and Joko's Kekasihku (My love). The 10 finalists of both categories were also recognized for their achievements.
The winners were selected through a judging process with seven, 15 and 21 independent jurors assessing the nominated works over three separate stages.
Jury coordinator and University of Indonesia literature professor Riris K. Toha-Sarumpaet commented that the rigorous judging process was proof that "The winning selections Kitab Omong Kosong and Kekasihku were obvious in their superiority compared to the other finalists".
"It is difficult to put down Kitab Omong Kosong once we start to read it, when we witness the struggle between evil against the goodness and nobleness of spirit (in the novel). In its simplicity, Kekasihku offers a new consciousness to the reader on how to view and to live through the various stages of life."
She added that the winning selections also showed that Indonesian writers possess strength, as well as unique characteristics and abilities, and that they are capable of bringing to light a broad range of social problems and the lives lived within.
KLA founder Richard Oh, meanwhile, said it was "surprising that Seno won for a second consecutive year," but underlined the fairness of the judging system and hailed the novelist for his absurdist style and his innovation in creating a new and unexpected genre through combining fables in a modern setting -- "not your garden-variety prose writer".
"Every year is a surprise," said Oh, "but you could say this year involved more established writers in its selection."
He was clearly ecstatic about Joko, who has been among KLA finalists for at least the past three years. "For him, getting the award is his highest achievement ... and a liberation."
Joko, he continued, was rare and unique in his simple language, yet characterized by a tongue-in-cheek wit and use of metaphors -- clearly a departure from traditional poetry and a response to the frequently made international criticism that Indonesia's poetry lacks irony.
"Sometimes his work is even devoid of realism, and is evocative of visual elements ... uses simple props to create a unique situation," said Oh. "I think he's one of our best-kept secrets."
Now in its fifth year, the KLA is sponsored by Plaza Senayan, Ernst & Young, Mont Blanc, Honda and Rio Tinto, among others, was born of an informal conversation: "We were grumbling about how impoverished our writers were," said Oh, referring to then president director of Plaza Senayan, Takashi Ichiki.
The award's name was suggested by novelist Mas Danato, and means the equator: "Khatulistiwa might be a mouthful, but it is redolent and clearly suggestive of Indonesia without being too techie," said Richard.
"Our involvement in Khatulistiwa is one of our major missions here, our social contribution under education," said current Plaza Senayan president director Shuichi Oishi. "It is important how we contribute to the community, and not only locally, but also to the Indonesian nation and its people" with a sustainable, long-term program.
"We didn't want to create something new, but were drawn by the genuine intention and talent of the writers," Oishi added. "If we can support (them) to introduce Indonesian writers to the international world, it is a great pleasure.
Having established itself as a prestigious award, Richard is looking toward the KLA growing into an internationally accepted event with a link to expanded participation in international festivals to garner more recognition for Indonesia's literary heritage and legacy. -- The Jakarta Post