Lontar, a small outfit that has previously translated works by local writers for readers across the globe, has prepared two versions of each anthology: one in Indonesian and one in English.

“We want to distribute the English versions to educational institutions across the world, especially those that have an interest in Asian literature,” Lontar Foundation chairman John McGlynn said at the 2016 ASEAN Literary Festival in Jakarta on Sunday.

“Hence, one of the selection criteria for poems is whether it can be translated into English.”

The poetry anthology will consist of selected works from 1920 to 2000, comprising 467 poems from 343 poets for the Indonesian version, and 324 poems from 179 poets for the English version. Meanwhile, the short story anthology will consist of selected works from 1924 to 2000, comprising 109 short stories from 109 writers for both versions.

“The anthology doesn’t serve as the representation of the best selected poems of Indonesian writers, but it aims to show the diversity of Indonesia through poems,” said Joko Pinurbo, a prominent poet and one of the members of the advisory team for the poetry anthology.

Joko further said that the poetry anthology would show the relationship between literature and the country’s history from one period to another.

“At first, the poems of [national hero] Mohammad Yamin use language that reflects the nation’s struggle. But at a certain point, the state and the art start to look as if they were enemies,” said Joko, adding that the anthology would represent groups with various backgrounds, including poems about minority ethnic groups.

McGlynn said Lontar Foundation had been struggling to overcome copyright issues with some of the poems and short stories as it compiled the anthologies. (vps/ebf)