Poetry reading at Monas

Poetry reading at Monas

JAKARTA (JP): A number of public figures have expressed an
interest in making the commemoration of the golden anniversary of
Indonesia's independence more lively by reading poetry at the
National Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta tomorrow.

Syaukat Banjaransari, chairman of the poetry reading
committee, was quoted by Antara on Friday as saying that the
event will be opened by Governor Surjadi Soedirdja who will hit a
wooden drum.

"The hitting of the wooden drum will immediately be followed
by a poetry read by H.B. Jassin, the oldest participant of the
event," he said.

Accompanied by H. Azhari Baedlawie, head of the City Cultural
Affairs Office, who is also the executive chairman of the
committee, Syaukat said that tomorrow's performance will be the
third ever conducted in the city in conjunction with the
celebration of Indonesia's independence day on Aug. 17.

The first such event was conducted in Monas in 1991, followed
by the second at the same place in 1993, he said.

"Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono in his capacity as an
advisor to the committee expects that such an even can be
conducted yearly, as part of various activities to commemorate
the independence day," said Syaukat, who is also a painter and
frequently exhibits his works.

Over 50 noted persons, including ministers, artists and
businessmen, have been invited to join in the program, he said.

"Up to Friday there were 34 people who registered themselves.
More participants are still expected to join the program. They
will be allowed to read their own poetry or others written by
other people," he said.

Ministers, who have expressed interest in reading poetry,
include, among others, Moerdiono, Wardiman Djojonegoro, Tarmizi
Taher, Inten Suweno, Siswono Yudohusodo and Hayono Isman. Other
high-ranking officials are Singgih, Dibyo Widodo, Wiranto, Hendro
Priyono, R. Soeprapto and Emil Salim.

Businessmen participating in the event are represented by
Moorjadi Sudibyo, Tanri Abeng, Fadel Muhammad, while artists by
Rendra, Sutardji Calzoum Bachri and Darmanto Jatman.

During the event, another performance called "poetry
musicalization" will also be presented by 35 members of the
Bengkel Deklamasi Jakarta group led by Jose Rizal Manua.

"The event is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. and end at
midnight," Syaukat said. (hhr)