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‘Merayakan Chairil Anwar’ celebrates Indonesia's independence with poetry
In conjunction with Indonesia's independence day, Tempo held an event called Merayakan Chairil Anwar (Celebrating Chairil Anwar) as part of the TerasBudaya event on Monday. Prominent figures including ministers, government officials and celebrities attended the event to read iconic poems written by noted poet Chairil Anwar.
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Prominent man of letters and founder of Tempo Goenawan Mohamad speaks at the "Merayakan Chairil Anwar" event on Monday. (-/Donny Fernando)
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n conjunction with Indonesia's independence day, Tempo held an event called Merayakan Chairil Anwar (Celebrating Chairil Anwar) as part of the TerasBudaya event on Monday. Prominent figures including ministers, government officials and celebrities attended the event to read iconic poems written by noted poet Chairil Anwar.
Newly appointed National Police chief Tito Karnavian read Chairil’s Diponegoro. From the entertainment crowd, actress Dian Sastrowardoyo attended the event to read Derai-derai Cemara and actor Reza Rahadian read Senja di Pelabuhan Kecil. Actress Raline Shah also made an appearance, reading two of Chairil’s poems, Rumahku and Penerimaan.
(Read also: Putting some colors into poetry)
Government officials who were present at the event included Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi who read Aku and Lagu Biasa, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti who read Kabar dari Laut and Kepada Penyair Bohang and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani who read Aku Berada Kembali.
Tempo founder and prominent man of letters Goenawan Mohammad in his opening speech said, "I’m glad because for the first time [Indonesia’s] Proclamation Day is associated with a poet, while usually it is related to politicians or military figures." He also called for more discussion of Chairil’s important works, instead of the poet himself.
Tempo editor-in-chief Arif Zulkifli stated that the event, which was attended by over 1,000 people, did not only highlight Chairil Anwar’s popular works, but also his pessimism, fears and other different aspects.
Arif explained that “Merayakan Chairil Anwar” was part of Tempo’s reportages about history since 2001. “We have never talked about poets or artists who had an important role for the history of Indonesia. Also, in the first Monday of every August we always publish a special edition about history.”
(Read also: Five heart-wrenching spoken word poets)
Arif said that in general, the government did intend to celebration Chairil’s work, but did not consider it a priority.
“I think the government has given enough attention for Chairil Anwar, but they have not yet given formal appreciation,” he said, adding that formal appreciation meant Chairil’s work being broadly discussed.
“But I think that’s fine too because we cannot keep depending on the government. Private parties like us can show our appreciation and encourage people to get involved.”
(Read also: New voice in Indonesian poetry)
“If seen from the literature side, I think Chairil Anwar has been followed by a lot of poets,” Arif added. “Nirwan Dewanto mentioned that two of Chairil’s sons in Indonesian literature are Goenawan Mohammad and Sapardi Joko Darmono. And both of them also have many followers.” (asw)
