Utan Kayu International Literary Biennale

A.S. Laksana

was born in Semarang, 25 Desember 1968. He studied in the Indonesian Language Program at IKIP, Semarang and Communication Program at Faculty of Politic and Social Sciences, Gadjah Mada University. He is one of the founders of Gorong Gorong Budaya, and the tabloid DeTIK, which had banned on 1994. His collected columns from DeTIK, were published under the title Podium DeTIK (1995). His is a founder of the Akubaca Foundation and the Jakarta School – Creative Learning Center.

Abe Barreto Soares

Barnabé [Abé ] Barreto Soares, born in Fohorem, Timor-Leste 1966. He completed studies in the English Literature program of Gadjah Mada University. In September 1991, he went to Canada to participate in a cultural fellowship program. Toward the end of his stay, his life was changed when the Santa Cruz massacre took place in Dili, November 12. He decided to remain in Canada rather than return to Indonesia. His first poetry anthology in Indonesian language was published in Netherlands in 1995. He returned to Timor-Leste July, 2000. He worked with the United Nations mission, UNTAET, as information assistant until 2002. Currently he works with the United Nation missions UNMISET and UNOTIL as a translator.

Afrizal Malna

Born in Jakarta, 7 June 1957. He has published several books of poetry including: Abad Yang Berlari (1984), Yang Berdiam Dalam Mikropon (1990); Arsitektur Hujan (1995), Kalung Dari Teman (1998), Dalam Rahim Ibuku Tak Ada Anjing (2003). He has continued his literary activities while working with the Urban Poor Consortium. He attended the 1996 Rotterdam International Poetry Festival and the 1997 meeting on Asia-Pacific Literature in Kuala Lumpur. Most recently he participated in the 2002 Indonesian International Poetry festival in Makassar and Bandung. He currently lives in Solo.

Antjie Krog

was born on 23 October 1952 on a farm in the Freestate. She completed her Masters degree in Afrikaans at the University of Pretoria and a Teacher’s Diploma (cum laude) at the UNISA. She worked closely with the Poetry School at Bloemfontein as well as the Poetry Laboratory at the University of Stellenbosch under the guidance of D.J. Opperman. Krog has published nine volumes of Afrikaans poetry and one of English; two volumes of Afrikaans verse for children, an Afrikaans novella also published in English translation and a book in English, Country of my Skull, on the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Krog has recieved many prestigious prizes and awards.

Arswendo Atmowiloto

Arswendo Atmowiloto was born in Solo, 26 November 1948. A prolific writer, he has published hundreds of books. His works has won many critical praise. Beside won many national award he has invited to the creative writing program of the University of Iowa, USA (1979). Arswendo is one of the ASEAN Award winner (1987).

Asli Erdogan

1967, studied Computer Science and Physics at Bogazici University (double major). Received her MA in Physics form there. Through 1991-1993 worked at CERN (Centre European Research Nuclear) as a particle physicist. Her collection of short stories The Miraculous Mandarin published in 1996. In the meantime when her novel The Shell Man was published in 1994 she was busy working toward her PhyD in physics in Rio de Janeiro. However, there she gave up physics to concentrate exclusively on writing. Returning to Turkey in 1996 she finished The City of the Red Cloak which appeared in 1998. The weekly essays she wrote for a daily newspaper during 1998-2000 was collected under the title When does a journey end? Asli Erdogan received the Deutsche Welle award for her Wooden Birds (available in translation to 8 languages including English and German). The City of Red Cloak will be published in France by Actes Sud and in Norway by Gyldendal.

Azhari

was born in Lamjamee, Banda Aceh, 5 October 1981. He studied in the Indonesian Language and Literature Program at Syiah Kuala University, Aceh. A writer of both poetry and prose, he published his first short story anthology Perempuan Pala in 2004. He received the Free Word Award (2005) from Poets of All Nations. He works with the Tikar Pandan Community and serves as the editor of the cultural journal Titik Tolak, Banda Aceh. Currently divides his time between Aceh and Yogyakarta.

Budi Darma

is considered as pioneer in the world of modern Indonesian literature. Born in Rembang, 25 April 1937, he completed his PhD in English Literature at the University of Indiana, Bloomington, USA. Subsequently, he taught in the English Language and Literature program at UNESA (Surabaya National University) before becoming the university’s rector in 1984. A writer of fiction and non fiction books, his novel Olenka, won the Jakarta Art Council prize in 1983. His short story anthology Orang-Orang Bloomington won ASEAN Award for Literature in 1984. In 1993 he received Anugerah Seni from Indonesian Government. In 2003, he received one of Indonesia’s highest honors, the Satyalancana Award for Culture from the President of Republic Indonesia. He also received Ahmad Bakrie Award from Freedom Institute in 2005.

Dinar Rahayu

was born in Bandung, 9 October 1971. She completed her graduate studies in chemistry on Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Technologi Bandung. Her work Ode Untuk Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch published on 2002, a novel about sadomasochism and transsexuality. Now serve as a teacher.

Eka Kurniawan

was born in Tasikmalaya, 28 November 1975. He completed studies in philosophy faculty at Gadjah Mada University in 1999. Beyond writing, he also works as a journalist, graphic designer and creates comic books. His works include Cantik itu Luka (2002), Lelaki Harimau (2004), Gelak Sedih dan Cerita-cerita Lainnya (2005), and Cinta Tak Ada Mati dan Cerita-cerita Lainnya (2005). He is currently preparing his first graphic novel in collaboration with two other designers.

Ellen Louise Ombre

was born in Paramaribo, Surinam in 1948. She arrived in the Netherlands in 1961, where she studied and subsequently serve many works. Ellen Ombre made her literary debut in 1992 with Maalstroom, a collection of short stories. Her autobiographical travel report, Wie Goed Bedoelt, incorporates a series of stories and observations on Benin and Dutch Development Aid. In her last book, Valse Verlangens, Ellen Ombre writes about Surinamers, Dutchmen and Africans in search of money, love and happiness. Ombre also writes for De Gids, Het Oordeel, Surplus and Callaloo (The Johns Hopkins University Press). She is currently writing a short novel.

Frank Martinus Arion

(pseudonym of Frank Efraim Martinus) was born on December 17, 1936 in Curaçao. In 1955 he moved to the Netherlands where he studied at, and subsequently worked for, the Institute for Dutch Studies. He returned to Curaçao in 1981 where he is the director of the Language Bureau. His novel, Dubbelspel (Double Game, 1973) which based on the colonial relationship between the Netherlands and the Antilles, was awarded the Lucy B. and C.W. van der Hoogt Prize in 1974. It has been translated into German, Danish and English. Afscheid van de koningin (Goodbye to the Queen, 1975) and Nobele wilden (Noble Savages, 1979) are Arion’s novels so far. He is now making a literary comeback with his new novel De laatste vrijheid.

Godi Suwarna

Born in Tasikmalaya 1956, Godi Suwarna joined the prestigious STB (Studiklub Teater Bandung). He began writing poetry and prose in his native language, Sundanese, in 1976. His poetry anthology: Jagat Alit, Surat-Surat Kaliwat, Blues Kere Lauk, Sajak Dongeng Si Ujang. And short stories anthology: Murang-Maring, Serat Sarwasatwa. He directed a production of this work, Konglomerat & Kere Lauk at the University of Wollongong, Australia, in 1997.

Gunawan Maryanto

Gunawan Maryanto was born in Yogyakarta, 10 April 1976. He writes, directs, and acts with the Theatre Creation Laboratory, Teater Garasi and works with the BlockNotInstitute Jogjakarta. His publications include Waktu Batu (a drama co-written with Andri Nur Latif and Ugoran Prasad) and his short story anthology, Bon Suwung.

H.U. Mardi Luhung

was born in Gresik, 5 March 1965. He graduated from the Indonesian Literature program of the University of Jember. His poetry anthologies include Terbelah Sudah Jantungku and Wanita yang Kencing di Semak. He has participated in Mastera (Southeast Asia Writers Forum) writing program in poetry, together with poets from Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Singapore.

Inggit Putria Marga

was born in Tanjungkarang, 25 August 1981. Inggit graduated from the Horticulture program at the University of Lampung. Her true passion though is for poetry. Her works have been published in the various anthologies and media. Currently, she serves on the literary committee of the Lampung Art Council.

Isbedy Stiawan ZS

Isbedy Stiawan ZS was born in Tanjungkarang (Lampung) 5 June 1958. His poetry anthologies include Kembali Ziarah, Daun Daun Tadarus, Roman Siti dan Aku Selalu Mengabarkan, Aku Tandai Tahi Lalatmu, Menampar Angin. He has invited to the Pertemuan Sastrawan Nusantara in Johorbaru, Malaysia and Dialog Utara VII in Thailand, 1999. He currently serve at Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI) Kota Bandarlampung and The Chief of Program of Lampung Art Council, period 2005-2008.

Iswadi Pratama

was born in Tanjung Karang 1971. He has writing poetry, essay, prose and for the theater since 1990. Beside writing, he also directs and acts in Teater Satu. His theatre script entitled Nostalgia Sebuah Kota won the best script award from GKJ Award 2003. The script also granted the Hibah SEbi from Kelola Foundation, 2004, and was performed at the Indonesia Performing Arts Mart (IPAM) in Nusa Dua, Bali, 6-10 June 2005.

Jan Cornall

is a writer, performer, teacher, and facilitator, based in Sydney Australia. Apart from her work as a playwright and screen writer, Jan also runs Write Here,Write Now, Writing Workshops and Writing Retreats. A student of the Dzogchen Master, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu (Tibetan Buddhism) for many years, Jan brings the influence of Buddhist philosophy and meditation techniques to her workshops, providing a popular mix of writing and meditation which produces startling results. Jan also provides mentoring and coaching for writers, creative artists and anyone interested in using the creative process to realise their full potential in all areas of their lives.

Jimmy Maruli Alfian

was born in Teluk Betung 3 March 1980. He graduated from the Law School at the University of Lampung. He has performend his poetry in the Malam Puisi Indonesia, Teater Utan Kayu, Jakarta; Ubud Writer’s and Reader’s Festival, Bali; Festival Penyair Lampung 3 Generasi; Festival Penyair Ujung Pulau; Festival Penyair Dua Arus (Jung Foundation; Pesta Para Sufi. Currently, he works in the theater division of Komunitas Berkat Yakin.

Kurnia Effendi

was born in Tegal, 20 October 1960. He graduated from the Art and Design Program, Institute of Technology Bandung. His poetry and short stories have received recogniztion, winning competitions and awards in Indonesia. His works include the poetry anthology: Kartunama Putih, an anthology of short stories: Senapan Cinta and Bercinta di Bawah Bulan. He has been invited to the Mimbar Poets of the 21st Century, sponsored by the Jakarta Arts Council, and Panggung Cerpen Indonesia Mutakhir, Teater Utan Kayu, Juli 2003. Currently he works for an automotive company in Jakarta.

Landung Simatupang

was born in Yogyakarta, 25 November 1951. He graduated from English Literature Program at Gadjah Mada University. Published many translation works. He worked with the Black Swan Theatre Company, Perth, West Australia, under director Andrew Ross performing as an actor and translator from Javanesse into English for wayang kulit performances at the International Art Festival. His poetry publications include Sambil Jalan… (1999). He presently works as a freelance translator, but continues to be active in theater as well as performing reading of poetry, short stories and novellas.

Lauren Williams

Lauren Williams is a poet and singer. She loved to organized and performing reading at every type of event. Her first collection, Driven To Talk To Strangers, was runner-up in the 1991 Anne Elder award. In 1995 she was the first Australian poet to attend the Festival Internacional de Poesía en Medellín, Colombia. In ‘96 she commenced a B.A. in Spanish language at La Trobe University, and was awarded a scholarship to Spain in ‘98. Her poetry is widely anthologised and has been televised and broadcast nationally. Since 2000 she has been convenor of the long-running La Mama Poetica readings. In 2002 she received a New Work grant from the Literature Board of the Australia Council. Lauren Williams’s other publications of poetry include: User Pays, (with Kerry Scuffins), High & Low, The Sad Anthropologist, Bad Love Poems, Invisible Tattoos, and Eloquent & other poems.

Marhalim Zaini

was born in Teluk Pambang Bengkalis Riau on15 Januari 1976. He completed his degree at the Indonesian Institute for the Arts, Yogyakarta. His awarding winning work has appeared in a variety of media outlets. His poetry compilations include Segantang Bintang Sepasang Bulan dan Langgam Negeri Puisi. Marhalim is also a playwright, his work was collected in Di Bawah Payung Tragedi), and his a book of his essays appeared as Tubuh Teater. He is active in various theater and discussion groups, and presently works at the Akademi Kesenian Melayu Riau, Pekanbaru as the head of the Department and a lecture.

Martin Aleida

was born in Tanjung Balai, West Sumatera, 31 December 1943. He studied at the Literary Academy “Multatuli” Jakarta (1963), Language and Linguistic Program, Georgetown University, Washington D.C. (1982). He has had a distinguished career as a journalist and editor, including working in the cultural magazine Zaman Baru, the newspaper Harian Rakyat (1963-1965), newsmagazine Tempo (1971-1984), Nippon Hoso Kyokai, Jakarta (1985). From 1986-2001, he worked as the Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre, Jakarta. He now worked as freelance writer. His short stories anthologies include: Malam Kelabu, Ilyana dan Aku, Perempuan depan Kaca, Leontin Dewangga, and Jamangilak Tak Pernah Menangis.

Mona Sylviana

Born in Bandung, 16 May 1972, Mona Sylviana studied at the Communication Sciences Faculty of Padjajaran University, Bandung. She is noted for Improvisasi X, a short story anthology, written with Hikmat Gumelar and Moh Syafari Firdaus. She now works at Institut Nalar Jatinangor.

N. Riantiarno

N. Riantiarno is one of Indonesia’s most important playwritghts. Born in Cirebon, 6 June 1949, Nano studied briefly at STF Driyarkara and ATNI (Indonesian National Theatre Academy). In 1977, he founded the legendary group Teater Koma. His plays and film scripts have won numerous awards, including Jakarta-Jakarta which won the Citra Award in Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) 1978. Four of his film scripts won the prestigious Jakarta Art Council award four years running (1972-1975). His works gained him an invitation to the International Writing Program, University of Iowa (1978). A world-renowned theater expert, he travels frequently to international conferences and to stage performances. One of his most popular scripts, The Cockroach Opera has been translated and performed around the world.

Nur Wahida Idris

was born in Kampung Ketugtug, Loloan East, Bali on 28 April 1976. Her award winning poems have been published by a variety of media outlets. She studies at Indonesian Institute of the Arts, Yogyakarta, specializing in Textile/Batik design. She is active in AKAR Indonesia and Rumahlebah Community Yogyakarta.

Radhar Panca Dahana

Radhar Panca Dahana born in Jakarta 26 March 1965. After completed studies in Ecole des Hautes en Sciences Sociales, Paris, he lecturer in Sociology Program at Indonesia University. Writes many books of essay, poetry, short story and drama. His last three books are: collection of poems Lalu Batu (2003), sociological essays Jejak Postmodernisme (2004) and collection of short stories Cerita-Cerita dari Negeri Asap (2005).

Ramsey Nasr

Ramsey Nasr (1974, of mixed Palestinian-Dutch parentage) is an eccentric actor as well as a poet, and it shows in his work. His first book of poems, 27 gedichten & Geen lied (27 poems & no song, 2000), was acclaimed by the critics and nominated for the C. Buddingh’ Prize for best Dutch poetry début. In this works, Nasr obviously likes to latch on to ancient traditions. His poems carry reminders of the way those ancient Dutch gods of sound, the Tachtigers (poets of the 1880s), practiced their art. It is continues in his second collection, Onhandig bloesemend (Awkwardly blossoming). Frustrated enthusiasm and passion are theme of his long poem ‘winter sonate (zonder piano en altviool)’ (Winter sonata (without piano and viola)) about the composer Shostakovich. A characteristic subject, although Nasr appears to be not likely to follow any dictates concerning his art.

Robert Olen Butler

(1945). Born in Granite City, Illinois, Butler attended Northwestern University as a theater major (B.S., 1967) and then switched to playwriting at the University of Iowa (M.A., 1969). He rose to the rank of sergeant in the Army Military Intelligence while serving in Vietnam (1969-1972). There he became a fluent speaker of the language and came to understand and honor Vietnamese culture. He has published several works including: novel The Alleys of Eden (1981), Sun Dogs (1982), collection of short stories, A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain (1992), A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain was awarded the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. A recipient of both a Guggenheim Fellowship in fiction and a National Endowment for the Arts grant, Butler also won the Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Foundation Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award. Since 1995, he has written feature-length screenplays for New Regency, Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Brothers, Paramount, Disney, and Universal Pictures and two teleplays for Home Box Office. He is the Francis Eppes Professor holding the Michael Shaara Chair in Creative Writing at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.

Saini K.M.

was born in Sumedang West Java on 16 June 1938. He studied English Language and Literature at IKIP Bandung. His poetry compilations include Nyanyian Tanah Air (1969), Rumah Cermin (1979), Sepuluh Orang Utusan (1989). Along with his poetry, Saini KM is an essayist and playwright, creating scripts for both mature audiences and children. From 1960-1984 he served as poetry editor for Pikiran Rakyat, 1988-1995 as director of ASTI Bandung, 1995-1999 he worked in Direktorat General of Art in Education and Cultural Department. In 1994, became a member of Art Consorsium, and member of Art Sciences Discipline Commission, 1999.

Shinta Febriany

was born in Palopo, South Sulawesi, on 5 February 1979. She studied Germany Language and Literary at Hasanuddin University, Makassar. Since 1996, she has worked with Sanggar Merah Putih Makassar community as a writer, actress and director, for which she was honored with awards for her acting and directing. She is presently artistic director of Sanggar Merah Putih Makassar.

Soni Farid Maulana

was born in Tasikmalaya, 19 February 1962. Some of his poetry compilations include Variasi Parijs van Java, Selepas Kata and Tepi Waktu Tepi Salju. He had participated in South Asean Writers Conference in Queezon City Philipinnes and Festival de Winternachten in Den Haag, The Netherlands. He presently serves at Pikiran Rakyat as art and culture editor of the special section “Khazanah”.

Tan Lioe Ie

Born in Denpasar, Tan Lioe Ie studied architecture at Jakarta University before completing his undergraduate in economics at Udayana University. His poetry anthology: Kita Bersaudara has been translated and published under the title We Are All One. His newest poetry book is Malam Cahaya Lampion. He was invited to the Tasmanian Readers’ & Writers’ Festival and was Writer in Residence in Hobart, Tasmania. He enjoyed to create music of poetry. He is active with the Sanggar Minum Kopi (SMK ) community, Bali, and the guess editor of Coast Lines magazines and editor of CAK dan Paradox.