Poetry reading contest starts next month

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)