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.