TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Writers from Southeast Asian countries gathered at the 2014 ASEAN Literary Festival (ALF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Esti Handayani inaugurated the festival at Taman Ismail Marzuki, as reported by Antara News.
The 2014 ALF director Abdul Khalik said that this festival is a mean to appreciate the writers and introduce them to the public. "They can express their ideas on how writers can contribute to the society," he said. Abdul also said the 2014 ALF is the first forum with writers from Southeast Asia.
Abdul hoped that the festival carrying the theme 'Anthems for the Common People' can become a media to deliver messages of the people who have been silenced by the government years ago.
ANTARA