(16 August 2007)

News/01
(13 March 2007)

Komunitas Utan Kayu is once again hosting the Utan Kayu International Literary Biennale for the duration 23 - 30 August 2007. Held in Jakarta and Magelang, the literary biennale will take place at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) and Teater Utan Kayu (TUK) while in the nation’s capital, prior to moving on to Central Java to host events in Magelang at Galeri Langgeng and the grounds of Candi Borobudur.

This year’s festival elects the theme Force Majeure as a reflection upon the many natural disasters that have continued to wreak havoc in various regions of Indonesia, as well as a show of solidarity with the victims. Words perhaps have no power before gigantic forces of nature; however a ritual to remember and honour the tenacity of the human heart and mind in rebuilding a culture is surely – and hopefully – not wholly futile. That is why the theme Force Majeure is selected and this festival is being held.

Readings and performances of literature, be it poetry or prose, remain the main attraction at this festival, hand-in-hand with thought provoking dialog between visiting international writers with Indonesian writers, as well as among the festival speakers with students on campus and the people in a number of communities. An introduction and immersion into the richness of Indonesian heritage for the festival speakers will also take the form of visits to historical sites.

More upbeat than the previous three festivals, this year’s fourth Literary Biennale will be unforgettable for the presence of dozens of leading Indonesian writers as well as literary figures from about twenty countries. Among the Indonesian writers are Abdul Hadi W.M., Abidah El Khalieqy, Acep Zamzam Noor, Agus Noor, Amarzan Ismail Hamid, Avi Basuki, Ayu Utami, Beni Setia, Darmanto Jatman, Dewi Lestari, Dorothea Rosa Herliany, Es Wibowo, F. Rahardi, Gus tf, Hamsad Rangkuti, Iman Budhi Santosa, Intan Paramaditha, Joko Pinurbo, Joni Ariadinata, Laksmi Pamuntjak, Oka Rusmini, Triyanto Triwikromo, Ugoran Prasad, and Violetta Simatupang.

While visiting from other countries (currently confirmed) are: Ahmed Alaidy (Egypt), Alvin Pang (Singapore), Chris Keulemans (Netherland), Cyril Wong (Singapore), Ed Verhoeff (Netherland), Edmundo Paz Soldán (Bolivia/USA), Feryal Ali-Gauhar (Pakistan), Ghassan Zaqtan (Palestine), Hassan Daoud (Lebanon), Izaline Calister (Curaçao), Jerome Kugan (Malaysia), Lan Po-chou (Taiwan), Mong-Lan (Vietnam / USA),  Ozen Yula (Turkey), Pernell Saturnino (Curaçao), Romain Moretone (Australia), Sam Wagan Watson (Australia), Umberto Piersanti (Italy).

The list of Indonesian and International participants will continue to grow as we receive confirmation from illustrious writers invited.