TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Publishers Association (Ikapi) announced that they are pulling out from participating in the Frankfurt Book Fair (FBF) that was scheduled for October 18 to 22, 2023. The head of Ikapi Arys Hilman mentioned that there will be no Indonesian attribute or Indonesian flag as well as Ikapi's presence during the fair even if the stand has been built.

Ikapi's statement was announced following FBF's statement through its Director Juergen Boos, to officially supported Israel, as shown in its official social media accounts and website."FBF announced that they condemned Hamas' terror toward Israel and will give more room for Israeli writers to speak up in FBF 2023," Arys said on Sunday.

Ikapi will also abstain from the opening ceremony of FBF, despite previously being invited. Several slated talks on Indonesian books are also canceled.

Juergen Boos stated earlier his decision to give more room for Israeli and Jewish writers to speak up at FBF events. During the first day of the fair, FBF will collaborate with PEN Berlin to hold an event titled "Out of Concern for Israel" at the Frankfurt Pavilion.

Several additional events were also added to affirm FBF's position to show support in solidarity with Israel. "We will hold a panel discussion concerning the attack on Israel with Meron Mendel, the Jewish community representative in Germany," Juergen said.

Additionally, the organizers also announced a discussion with Lizzie Doron, the writer residing in Tel Aviv and Berlin, about the recent condition in Israel at the official gala scheduled on Saturday, October 21, 2023.

On the other hand, FBF unilaterally annulled the LiBeraturpreis award that was previously set to be awarded to Palestinian writer Adania Shibli.

FBF's statement and decision to support Israel as the occupying power and serial violators of Palestinian rights enraged and disappointed many writers, activists, and publishers organizations around the world. Sharjah Book Authority and Arab Publishers Association also pulled out of the event, as well as Qatar and Egypt.

According to Arys, several publishers are likely to still attend FBF but will abstain from any activities. "Just to meet with partners and other literary agencies. I personally canceled [meetings] and Ikapi as an organization will no longer participate in FBF," he stressed.

Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology through the Educational Assessment Curriculum Standards Agency (BSKAP) Supriyanto also stressed the cancellation of Indonesia's participation in FBF.

"Amid this geopolitical situation, we will not attend or open an Indonesian Stand in FBF," he said.

MARIA FRANSISCA LAHUR

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