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)