National Library transforms ancient manuscripts into 50 children's books and comics
The National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas) has transformed nine groups of ancient Nusantara manuscripts into 50 works, consisting of children’s books and comics, to bring documentary heritage closer to the younger generation.
The 50 works comprise 38 children’s picture books, two chapter books, and 10 comics. The nine groups of manuscripts used as sources for these adaptations include Desawarnana, Hikayat Aceh, I La Galigo, Peto Syarif, Siksa Kandang Karesian, Sutasoma, Syekh Yusuf, Tuanku Imam Bonjol, and Panji Kuda Semirang. Notably, the Syekh Yusuf manuscript was developed into eight different titles.
This initiative, supported by the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and sponsored by the 2024 UNESCO JIKJI Prize, was launched during the National Collective Memory (IKON) and Memory of the World (MoW) adaptation talk in Jakarta on Wednesday.
“Perpusnas is continuing this legacy by transforming records into a format that is more easily accessible to the younger generation,” a representative stated.
The Head of Perpusnas, E. Aminudin Aziz, noted that the collaboration with ITB, specifically the Visual Communication Design Study Programme, is an effort to bring the history, culture, and local wisdom found in ancient manuscripts closer to the current generation. “The purpose of this publication is very clear: we want the children of the nation to better recognise their own identity and the history of their nation,” he said.
Riama Maslan Sihombing, a lecturer at ITB and Head of the Production Team for the IKON and MoW Children’s Reading Books and Comics, explained that ancient manuscripts record the lives of past societies, including power, religion, family, nature, knowledge, ethics, and communal life. He added that adaptation is necessary because the language, scripts, and social contexts within ancient manuscripts are not always easily understood by today’s children.
Furthermore, the Acting Head of the Centre for Nusantara Information Services and Manuscripts at Perpusnas, Yeri Nurita, added that this creative approach serves as an intergenerational bridge to introduce the values of ancient manuscripts, while simultaneously fostering reading interest and awareness of the nation’s history and culture.