The fair provides a golden opportunity for around 20 Indonesian publishers to sell their books' translation rights to publishing houses in Europe and beyond. Hopes are high that Indonesia's strong presence at the event will help offset weakening book sales at home. Other parts of the Indonesian Pavilion offered sanctuaries where visitors could read comics, listen to bedtime stories while lying on a comfortable round sofa and taste samples of Balinese food following a culinary presentation by Janet DeNeefe. At the pavilion, Ahmad Tohari introduced his novel Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk (The Dancer) and the events of 1965, the dark chapter in Indonesia's history, while Intan Paramaditha and Oka Rusmini discussed the role of women and taboos in Indonesian culture. Most of these take place in the spacious Indonesian Pavilion, which is beautifully decorated in luminous blue and purple lights and tastefully arranged white cubic lanterns. 'We write to give life to dialogue and conversation, and in doing so, we nurture freedom,' said Goenawan Mohamad, head of the national committee for the fair, in his opening speech.įrom Wednesday until Sunday at the gigantic Frankfurter Messe, hundreds of selected authors and artists are sharing their thoughts and passions at a wide range of events. Scores of Indonesian celebrity chefs host cooking classes, dinners and even offer street food to present the tantalizing flavors of the country's culinary heritage.Īll of this is possible because Indonesia received the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be the guest of honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair, one of the world's largest publishing trade fairs, which dates back to the 15th century. Chudori, Eka Kurniawan and Ayu Utami feature prominently in the German media these days.Įxhibitions on Indonesian architecture, photography and contemporary art enliven the city's museums and public spaces. There is a sense of pride for Indonesians strolling down the streets of Frankfurt this week, as Indonesian authors and comic artists take part in discussions and activities around the city.

The dancer ahmad tohari