'Kompas' celebrates 37th anniversary

The chief editor of Indonesian daily newspaper Kompas, Suryopratomo (left), presents an award to writer Danarto (right), one of the 13 authors whose works have been recognized in the daily's publication of selected short stories.

The ceremony was held on Friday at the Bentara Budaya Jakarta in Central Jakarta, in conjunction with Kompas's 37th anniversary.

Danarto's short story Jejak Tanah (traces of earth) was also selected as this year's best short story. The story's title also became the title of this year's publication.

Another of Danarto's short stories, Di Atas Bumi di Atas Langit (above the earth above the sky), also made it into the compilation.

Other awardees include Kuntowijoyo (photo above, second right) with his short story Tawanan (the prisoner), Eka Budianta (photo above, center) with his work Pohon dan Istrinya (the tree and its wife), and Yanusa Nugroho (second left) with his work Anak Kecil yang Gemar Menjilati Pipiku (a child who likes to lick my cheeks).

Besides for best short story, this year Kompas also gave a special award for dedication in creating literary works to seasoned author Kuntowijoyo who is also a professor at the Gadjah Mada University.

This year is the 10th year that Kompas has published its annual selected short story compilation. The short stories were selected from all of the stories published by the newspaper throughout the year.

The award ceremony and anniversary party was also attended by Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla, noted lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis, economist Frans Seda, Chairman of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Taufik Abdullah, historian Anhar Gonggong and businessman Sofjan Wanandi. --JP