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Indonesia set to celebrate Pramoedya's centennial
Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s books have influenced youths in their fight against injustice across generations, literary experts have said, stressing that the late author’s works are becoming increasingly relevant.
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Then President Abdurrahman “Gus Dur“ Wahid (left) receives gifts from renowned writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer on May 2, 2000, during a meeting at the latter's residence in Jakarta. Pramoedya had previously widely criticized Gus Dur, saying that despite his democratic election, Wahid's government was a continuation of former president Soeharto's New Order regime. (AFP/Agus Lolong)
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iterary communities across the country are gearing up to celebrate the centennial of Pramoedya Ananta Toer, one of the few Indonesian writers who left a lasting impact on the country’s social and political consciousness.
Thursday marks what would have been the 100th birthday of Pram, as the author is widely known, whose works are considered classic Indonesian literature. His famous works include Bumi Manusia (This Earth of Mankind), the first book of the Buru Quartet originally published between 1980 and 1988.
For his 100th birthday, the Pramoedya Ananta Toer Foundation and the Beranda Rakyat Garuda arts community launched the yearlong “Festival Perayaan Seabad Pramoedya Ananta Toer” in the late author’s hometown in Blora, Central Java. The festival, slated to end on Feb. 6 of next year, will comprise various events ranging from memorial lectures to a grand concert based on his book.
The events in Blora will run from Thursday to Saturday. But the celebration is expected to last for a year, extending beyond the Central Java city with programs related to Pram slated in various cities.
Libraries and bookstores in Jakarta, Bandung in West Java and Yogyakarta have shown their enthusiasm, including independent library The Room 19 in Bandung, which has posted schedules for programs on their social media accounts.
“People quickly reserved their seats for our Pramoedya-related programs, while other literary communities in the city are also holding different events throughout February. It’s very exciting to see people’s enthusiasm,” said Reiza Harits, executive director and cofounder of The Room 19, on Wednesday.
Read also: Pramoedya centenary festival to kick off in hometown Blora
