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Writers try to reclaim “people” during 2019 MIWF
Dozens of writers and hipsters alike will gather, dine and chat among themselves to take on “people” as a theme for the ninth edition of the annual Makassar International Writers Festival (MIWF).
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Makassar International Writers Festival 2019 poster. (Makassar International Writers Festival/-)
The word “people” is a popular one used by politicians and political parties in democratic countries such as Indonesia.
After all, the most common definition of a democracy is a government by the people, for the people and of the people.
Nevertheless, in almost every election, the word “people” has been used as nothing but a mere vote-getting instrument for elites who want to be in power. To address this issue, dozens of writers and hipsters alike will gather, dine and chat among themselves to take on “people” as a theme for the ninth edition of the annual Makassar International Writers Festival (MIWF).
Running from June 26 to 29 in Makassar, South Sulawesi, the MIWF will attract 68 writers and speakers. They will join 68 discussions spread across Fort Rotterdam and five universities in Makassar, with an expected 30,000 in attendance.
With climate change and ecological issues at the forefront in the zeitgeist, the MIWF will also adopt a zero-waste concept, where the festival’s waste will be organized and recycled so as to not end up in landfills.
According to MIWF founder and director Lily Yulianti Farid, the “people” theme was chosen in response to the recent general election that has taken over the discourse in the daily lives of Indonesians.
Lily added that the theme was already decided at last year’s festival, in which they were still imagining the process of the elections.
