Khatulistiwa names winners

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