TEMPO.CO, Ubud - Indonesia has become the Market Focus Country in the 2019 London Book Fair. At the event, Indonesia introduced the "17,000 Islands of Imaginations" theme.
“We are not just an exhibition, but a writer residency,” said the chief executive of the Indonesian National Committee Market Focus Country, Laura Prinsloo, during a media meeting at the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival on Thursday, October 25.
A total of 12 Indonesian writers passed the selection, viz. Agustinus Wibowo, Clara Ng, Dewi Lestari, Faisal Oddang, Intan Paramaditha, Laksmi Pamuntjak, Leila S. Chudori, Nirwan Dewanto, Norman Erikson Pasaribu, Reda Gaudiamo, Seno Gumira Ajidarma, and Sheila Rooswitha Putri.
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According to Laura, Indonesia’s presence as the Market Focus Country became a momentum for promotion. “If we focus on the promotion, the (Indonesian) books will increasingly be translated abroad,” she said.
John H. McGlynn, the National Committee Program coordinator, said the 2019 London Book Fair was not only an event to introduce Indonesian writers. “All elements must work together to introduce Indonesian intellectual property abroad,” he said.
Indonesia has been a guest of honor at the 2015 Frankfurt Book Fair. After three years, Indonesia has the opportunity to become the Market Focus Country in the London Book Fair in the UK on March 12-14, 2019.
BRAM SETIAWAN