Lontar collects $190,650 for three book projects
Lontar collects $190,650 for three book projects
JAKARTA (JP): All noise subsided when the five musicians sounded their drums and three pairs of young women and men clad in traditional Riau garb -- red for the ladies and yellow for the men -- entered the hall, each hand holding a plate high above their heads.
The guests, nearly filling the Gedung Pameran Seni Rupa hall at the Ministry of Education and Culture in Gambir in Central Jakarta, applauded enthusiastically as the troupe approached the long table where the guests of honor sat. Then, to the accompaniment of the drum beat, they grandly placed the plates on the table.
It was an unusual entrance for a not so unusual dinner -- a fund-raising occasion. Only this time the organizer, the Lontar Foundation, went the extra mile to promote its activities.
That night, on March 22, the foundation and the Ministry of Tourism, Post and Telecommunication held "Malam Seni, Sastra & Selera" (An Evening of Art, Literature and Cuisine), a fund- raising dinner which also featured a video presentation and traditional Riau dancing by the Cik Lay Dance Theater.
"There has never been such a food presentation before," commented the impressed Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunication, Joop Ave.
Dinner was prepared by noted food expert William Wongso, who delighted the guests with his mini tumpeng rice accompanied by opor ayam, rendang Padang, udang pancet balado, sambal goreng Cirebon, gulai pisang muda Melayu and pepes cumi mangga muda.
Prior to the main course, the guests were treated to starters of soup and salad and a video presentation of Lontar's activities.
Food aside, the evening was quite successful and the foundation collected US$190,650 for its three special projects launched in conjunction with Indonesia's 50th anniversary.
The three projects are: Illuminations: Writing Traditions of Indonesia, On the Record, and Former Points of Views.
Illuminations is an art book which deals with the history of writing and the art of script writing in Indonesia. The book will be written by experts in Indonesian writing traditions and will carry hundreds of pictures of old manuscripts.
Edited by Dr. Ann Kumar of the University of Canberra and John H. McGlynn, Illuminations is prepared in cooperation with the National Library, the National Archives and dozens of other institutions. The book launching at the end of this year will be highlighted by an international symposium, an exhibition of old manuscripts and other events. Its Indonesian edition, Candi Bahas: Tradisi Menulis di Indonesia, will come out early next year.
On the Record is a series of documentaries on Indonesian writers to be televised in the middle of this year. Lontar plans to produce 50 videos and has so far completed five on H.B. Jassin, Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana, A.A. Navis, Selasih and Suman Hasibuan. It is also preparing seven others on Asrul Sani, Ramadhan K.H., Rivai Apin, Rendra, Sitor Situmorang, Subagio Sastrowardoyo and Toeti Heraty.
Former Points of View is a book of photographs on Indonesia in the past (Indonesia Tempo Doeloe). Each photograph will be accompanied by a quotation from Indonesian literature. The book will be launched in September this year together with an exhibition of old postcards at Gedung Antara.
The Lontar Foundation is also working on dozens of other books and is preparing a series of cards and posters of old manuscripts.
The foundation, set up on Oct. 28, 1987, has translated the works of noted Indonesian writers in 12 books. The Lontar Foundation is also active in film, theater, dance and art as well as preserving old manuscripts. (lem)