Riau hosts writers' camp

PEKANBARU: Two hundred poets and writers from Southeast Asia are expected to gather in Daik Lingga in Riau province in June. They are likely to come from Malaysia, Brunei Darrusalam, Thailand and Singapore.

Organizer Syafrial Syamsudin told Antara here the choice of Daik Lingga was based on artifacts revealing the site as the first Muslim-influenced monarchy in the area.

Organizers are the Study Center for Malay Language and Culture and the Riau Foundation for Reading and Arts.

"With the many historical landmarks of Islamic history in Daik such as the Benteng Bukit Cening fort, the Istana Damnah palace... and the Sultan Lingga mosque, we consider Daik as the first and largest Muslim Malay monarchy in Riau," Syafrial said.

Observers will include representatives of New Zealand's Maori community and an association of Madagascar Malay community.

The event aims to allow people to "go back to the roots" amid the region-wide economic crisis, Syafrial said. (anr)