Writers told to keep up with world trends

JAKARTA (JP): The anticipation of the new millennium concerns not only the world's computer programmers but also Indonesian poets.

Although the predicted network breakdowns will not be the poets' main worry, the breakdown of natural cultural boarders seems to be catching young Indonesian poets and writers in the proverbial headlights.

"Poems and short stories by Indonesian young writers are abundant these days, yet most of them are still lacking the required maturity," senior poet Sutardji Calzoum Bachri said last week.

After attending a literary discussion at the Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center, he said it was unfortunate that young Indonesian poets and writers were not prepared to face the challenge of globalization.

Led by poet H. Danarto, the discussion featured poet Acep Zamzam Noor and Harfenda, a poet who is also the literary editor of the Republika daily. Well-known authors Motinggo Busje and Ikranegara, along with a slew of young writers, also attended.

Discussing the future of Indonesian literature, some lightened the atmosphere by singing after raising their ideas. Some participants quipped that the poets and writers were showing off their new leisure activity: spending Wednesday nights singing at a cafe owned by models in Kebayoran, South Jakarta.

According to Soetardji, Indonesian poets should keep up with the trends in global literature.

Dubbed by his fellow poets as "The president of modern Indonesian poetry", Sutardji advised that local intellectuals should read a lot of English literature, currently the referral for world literature.

"In order to sustain Indonesian poetry, young poets should look for a lot of references," he said, adding that it was important that all writers to broaden their horizons.

He suggested that young writers use their sub-culture and ethnicity to enrich and give unique characteristics to their literary work.

In the past, he said, young writers had more chance to mingle with common people to sharpen their awareness about changes in society. Nowadays, he added, they were stupefied by the government's empty slogans and censorship.

Sutardji is also concerned about the themes that young poets were choosing, which revolved around suffering and sadness.

"Literature should be like a newspaper or TV, which presents a clear reflection of the society. The newspaper provides a space for condolences and humorous articles."

Sutardji is the latest recipient of the Chairil Anwar Literary Award for his dedication to literature.

Ikranegara, a famous poet and actor, said that Indonesians were exposed and linked to the rest of the world due to information technology.

"As writers, we should anticipate the kind of lifestyle of the year 2000, which will be dominated by information technology." he said.

This, he said, would make writers turn to their cultural roots.

"The 21st century will present chances for sub-cultures throughout the world to emerge" he said in support of a theory by Samuel Huntington, the author of The Clash of Civilization. (46)