Makassar hosts international poetry festival
Makassar hosts international poetry festival
Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Makassar
Dozens of internationally acclaimed poets arrived in the South
Sulawesi capital of Makassar on Monday to participate in an
international poetry festival being hosted by the province's
Hasanuddin University (Unhas).
At least 29 poets from eight countries, namely the
Netherlands, Britain, Germany, Austria, Japan, Malaysia and
Taiwan and host country Indonesia, will participate in the
festival scheduled to begin on Tuesday morning.
The four-day festival is organized by the state university and
the Makassar Arts Council.
The arriving poets were invited by university rector, Radi A.
Ghany, for a banquet at his campus on Monday evening aimed at
commemorating the death of one of Indonesia's most prolific
writers; novelist and columnist Umar Kayam on March 16, 2002.
Participants include Renco Compert, Hagar Peeters, Rudy
Kousbroek, Ramsey Nasr, Gerrit Komrij, Gerry Van der Linden and
Mustafa Stitto -- all from the Netherlands -- Michael Augustine,
Martin Jankoswksy and Brigette Olenschinky -- from Germany.
Other participating poets include Machi Tawara and Kezuko
Shiraishi -- from Japan -- Raol Schrott of Austria and Kemala of
Malaysia. Locally renowned participating poets include Taufik
Ismail, Sutardji Calsoum Bahcri, Afrizal Malna, Situr Situmorang
and W.S. Rendra.
South Sulawesi poets, such as Rahman Arge, will also join the
event themed Poems for Peace.
"The international cultural event is a historic occasion for
Unhas and South Sulawesi as it is the first time for us to host
such an international festival," Radi told The Jakarta Post on
Monday.
He said the poets were expected to bring about a positive
appreciation of the international development of literature,
particularly in Indonesia and especially the relevant academics
in Unhas.
"We respond to this activity very warmly because it is closely
related to the cultural orientation of Unhas," added Radi, who
also serves as a member of the festival's steering committee.
He also expressed hope that the festival would enhance mutual
understanding and human solidarity between the countries
represented in the event, and boost Indonesia's international
image abroad.
The program includes discussions on culture, poetry recitals
and cultural speeches by participants.
It will also feature a performance of traditional arts from
South Sulawesi.
The activities will be centered at the 2,000-seat-capacity
hall Baruga Andi Pangeran Pettarani inside Uhnas compound. "We
hope the event will run smoothly, so the public can enjoy it,"
the rector said.
The poetry recitals are scheduled to be held in three groups
of participants, which will be performed every day from Tuesday.
Participants will be invited for a dinner hosted by South
Sulawesi Governor H.Z.B. Palaguna and Makassar Mayor Amiruddin
Maula, to close the forum at Balla Lompoa Palace in Gowa regency,
some 20 kilometers from Makassar.