Poetry reading contest starts next month

JAKARTA (JP): A poetry reading workshop, Bengkel Deklamasi Jakarta, will hold Indonesia's fifth annual poetry recitation contest next month.

The workshop is held in cooperation with HB Jassin Documentation Center and Taman Ismail Marzuki Art Center.

Bengkel Deklamasi's Jose Rizal Manua, who chaired the organizing committee, said yesterday that the Oct. 20 to Oct. 31 competition was designed to celebrate Language Campaign Month and Youth Day.

Under the theme "The Struggling Spirit of Humanity, Religion and Loving the Country in Indonesian Poems", the contest, open to those aged 17 and above, will be held at Taman Ismail Marzuki Terrace in Central Jakarta from 7 p.m. every day, he said.

According to Jose, participants are required to read one of dozens of selected poems penned by the country's noted poets and writers -- including Sanoesi Pane, J.E. Tatengkeng, Subagio Sastrowardoyo, Piek Ardijanto, Amir Hamzah, Chairil Anwar, WS Rendra, Taufiq Ismail, Ajip Rosidi, Sapardi Djoko Damono, Goenawan Mohamad, KH. A. Mustofa Bisri, Leon Agusta, Sutardji Calzoum Bachri and Emha Ainun Nadjib.

The winner will receive the HB Jassin trophy -- named after the noted literary critic -- and a cash prize, he said.

"The total in cash prizes to be awarded to winners is worth Rp 3 million (US$1,025)," Jose said.

Those interested could register from tomorrow until Oct. 19, at: the Book Gallery of Bengkel Deklamasi on Jl. Salemba Tengah VII 35 or HB Jassin Literature Documentation Center on Jl. Cikini Raya 17. Both are in Central Jakarta.

Each contestant must pay Rp 15,000 for the entry forms and submit a copy of their identification card. (bsr)