One easily comprehensible indicator, according to writer Bunaru Nabobenar, was the fact that fewer people were subscribing to weekly publications written in Javanese.

"As a result, no subscribers will be left, because one by one the older ones will die while the younger generation exhibits no interest in preserving Javanese literature," he warned.

Bunari blamed the government, as the stakeholder with the most interest in preserving cultural legacy, for the worrying scenario.

"There has been a lack of intensive communication between Javanese writers and the government on how to preserve Javanese literature," he said.

Beni Satya, an author from Jakarta, proposed a breakthrough in making Javanese literature more acceptable among today's society.

"It's no longer time to rely just on written Javanese," he pointed out.

To make the Javanese language more publicly acceptable, he added, literature must be supported by trendy media that society can easily access, such as stage and art performances.

"Indeed, these don't constitute literature, but this is my proposed strategy to make the language gain a greater foothold in society," he told the forum, held in Cakul subdistrict, Dongko district, Trenggalek regency.

Literary scholar Zawawi Imron from Madura agreed, pointing out the fact that there were many books whose sales had skyrocketed once movies had been made based on them.

"This means that supporting performance works are sometimes needed to help make literature reach the public quicker," he said.

Zawawi also expressed concern that while Javanese literature had gained a strong following outside Java and even abroad, it was largely neglected at home.

The workshop was part of a series of activities organized during the two-day Javanese Literature and Village Festival 2009, which began on Tuesday.

Designed to be an annual national event, the festival has attracted a number of Javanese writers and scholars from East Java, West Java, Yogyakarta and Madura.

"This site was chosen in the deliberate effort to preserve villages as the only territory where Javanese literature can still be found in the daily lives of the people," said Bunari, who also serves as chairman of the literary festival's organizing committee.

Popular

Indonesian hotel chain confirms exit from Cuba

Corruption scandals, rupiah fall revive reshuffle talks

Health Ministry to push regulation on tobacco plain packaging