TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Yogyakarta-based Studio Pertunjukan Sastra (SPS) will once again hold the Pesta Puisi Akhir Tahun (Year-end Poem Festival) on Saturday, December 24, at 7:30 local time at Taman Budaya Yogyakarta’s amphitheater.
“The event will also mark the 134th edition of Bincang-bincang Sastra [Literature Talks],” said the event coordinator Latief S Nugraha on Wednesday, as quoted by Antara.
He explained that this year’s edition of Pesta Puisi Akhir Tahun will be different than previous ones as the SPS will publish an anthology titled ‘Yogya Halaman Indonesia’ (literally translated as Yogya: Indonesia’s Front Yard), which is also the theme of the event.
“The book contains poetries written by Yogyakarta-based poets hailing from various regions in Indonesia,” he said.
The poets whose works have been included into the book are, among others, Ardy Priyantoko of Wonosobo, Bayu Aji Setiawan of Siak Sri Indrapura, Bustan Basir Maras of Majene, Daruz Armedian of Tuban and Hasta Indriya of Gunungkidul.
Aside from poetry reading, the event will feature musical poetry, dancing poetry and poetry theatrical, which will be performed by local art studios of KMSI UNY, Sanggar Suar, Sanggar Rupagangga, Sanggar Serat Jiwa and Teater Topy.
Latief said that the Pesta Puisi Akhir Tahun event is expected to showcase Yogyakarta-based poets’ potential.
He said that many poets from across Indonesia experience creative process and later settled in Yogyakarta. In a poem, poet Indrian Koto said that Yogyakarta is his “second birthplace”.
SPS director Mustofa W Hasyim said that to say that Yogyakarta is Indonesia’s front yard is apt.
Many people from regions across the country live and produce their works in it. Such diversity is Indonesia’s characteristic which is reflected among Yogyakarta people.
“We have seen divisive issues being thrown around of late. Whereas, diversity itself is the true characteristic of our Indonesia. Indonesia is not a big stone in a truck, it’s a pile of pebbles in a truck instead,” he said.
“Through the Pesta Puisi Akhir Tahun, the SPS will try to bring together diverse Indonesian culture in a bid to maintain fraternity among Yogyakarta people,” he said.
ANTARA