Remy wins Khatulistiwa Literary Award

Remy wins Khatulistiwa Literary Award

Author Remy Sylado was presented the QB Worldbook 2001-2002
Khatulistiwa Literary Award for Best Indonesian Fiction for his
book Kerudung Merah Kirmizi (Kirmizi's Red Cape) at a ceremony at
Plaza Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Friday.

Other nominees for this year's award included Ayu Utami for
Larung, Joko Pinurbo for Pacarkecilku (My little Girlfriend),
Supartobrata for Saksi Mata (Eyewitness) and Yanusa Nugroho for
Segulung Cerita Tua (A Bundle of Old Stories).

The award is aimed at supporting local literary figures as
well as improving Indonesian literature to international
standards, Richard Oh, chairman of the Khatulistiwa Foundation,
said at the ceremony.

This year's prize of Rp 50 million (US$5,434), minus 25
percent tax, was more than last year's Rp 30 million due to an
increased number of sponsors, namely the Indonesian version of
BusinessWeek, private television station RCTI and Marketing
tabloid in addition to Honda, Secure Parking, Mont Blanc and The
Jakarta Hilton Hotel.

Besides literary works -- such as short-story compilation,
compilation of poems, and novels -- this year's award was
expanded to include playscripts as well.

"The category expansion was made with the consideration that
the Khatulistiwa Literary Award recognizes all forms of creative
writing," Richard said.

Works that are eligible for the award are those first
published between Sept. 1, 2001, and Aug. 31, 2002, are original
works and are distributed across Indonesia.

Judges for this year's awards included Riris K. Toha
Sarumpaet, Sutardji Calzoem Bachri, Eka Budianta and Pamusuk
Eneste. -- JP