THE LONTAR FOUNDATION

 

We are an independent, not-for-profit organization based in Jakarta, Indonesia,

promoting Indonesian literature and culture through the translation of its literary works

 

 

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PUBLICATIONS

The Lontar Foundation publishes books under four imprints: Lontar, BTW, Amanah, and Godown. All titles released prior to 2002 (when Godown and Amanah were established) carried the Lontar imprint.

Threads of Dignity

By Putu Oka Sukanta
Translated by keith Foulcher

The Mystical Path of Badrul Mustafa

By Heru Joni Putra
Translated by George A. Fowler

The Lontar Anthology of Indonesian Short Stories

Short Fiction from the Twentieth Century
Volume 1: Pre-Independence to 1965

AUTHOR OF THE MONTH

Rendra in 1989 (Photo by JHM)

Rendra (7 November 1935-7 August 2009) is one of Indonesia’s most well-known poets and playwrights but he is equally renowned for his political activism.

After studying English literature and culture at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, he moved to the U.S. in 1964 to study drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Upon his return to Indonesia in August 1967, he, together with his wife Sunarti and Azwar AN, established Bengkel Theater, a theatrical company whose productions soon became the benchmark for success in the world of modern Indonesian drama.

Bengkel Theater productions had a profound influence on modern Indonesian theater. His poems had a similar impact on the development of Indonesian poetry during the years of the New Order government (1965-1998). During this time, Rendra was one of the few creative people who had the courage to openly express dissent. His poetry readings became occasions for mass public protest throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

After the fall of the Soeharto government in 1998 and the beginning of democratization, Rendra remained a dominant figure in the world of modern Indonesian literature and theater and became the patron of an unrestricted, free and socially engaged artistic community. The number of awards he received during his lifetime is very extensive.

BOOK OF THE MONTH

Testimony, a collection of poetry by Rendra with translations by Burton Raffel, Harry Aveling, and John H. McGlynn, is indeed a testimony to the sacredness Rendra felt for life in all its beauty.

During Rendra’s lifetime (1935-2009) he embodied the Indonesian sense of what a true artist should be. He was a flamboyant personality, often dubbed “the peacock.” His dedication to his art was absolute, and he gave honest and creative expression to his emotions and thoughts. His writing used a simple, flexible long-limbed free verse that is attractive and immediately accessible.

Raised within a mystical Javanese milieu, Rendra saw nature, the individual, and society as potentially forming one harmonious whole. In his poetry and his plays this commitment to personal authenticity and social justice was expressed through stories. He wrote about all sorts of people: himself, his family children and grandchildren, those he met in daily life, the poor, the marginalized, victims of social injustice, women and children forced to live without love.

Rendra’s criticism of the New Order government is well known and his message to those who held power but lacked compassion was simple: “We say NO! and NO! to you.” But to life itself, he said: “Be and continue to grow” – be present, be centered, and at the same time be constantly in motion, constantly flowing.

 
“ON THE RECORD” – DOCUMENTARY FILMS AND PERFORMANCE RECORDINGS
 
Lontar has produced 58 documentary films on Indonesian writers and 30 Indonesia’s oral-performance traditions.

“The Smiling Semar from America” (Semar Mesem dari Amerika) is a documentary film devoted to the life of Gregory John Churchill (1947-2022) and his love of Indonesian puppets. During his decades in Indonesia he collected more than 8,000 puppets from around Indonesia and other parts of the world.

The film was produced by the Lontar Foundation under the supervision of John H. McGlynn and directed by Eva Tobing.

George Quinn, profesor emeritus di Australian National University, adalah peneliti budaya Jawa dan Islam. Bukunya  “Bandit Saints of Java” (2019) diterbitkan dalam terjemahan Indonesia berjudul “Wali Berandal Tanah Jawa” oleh KPG pada 2021. Tahun ini, Yayasan Lontar akan meluncurkan karya terbarunya, yaitu “She Wanted to be a Beauty Queen: Thirty Javanese Short Stories”, bunga rampai sastra Jawa kontemporer pertama dalam terjemahan Inggris. 

Peluncuran buku “She Wanted to be a Beauty Queen: Thirty Javanese Short Stories” dan Temu Penulis-Penerjemah: George Quinn diselenggarakan pada:

Jumat, 6 Oktober 2023, 19.00 WIB
Komunitas Utan Kayu
Jalan Utan Kayu Raya 68-H, Matraman, Jakarta Timur.

Moderator: Nirwan Dewanto
Pembaca Naskah Jawa: Komunitas Tlatah Waktu

Acara ini merupakan kerjasama antara Yayasan Lontar, Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia dan Komunitas Utan Kayu.

Acara ini terbuka untuk umum dan gratis. Daftar di tautan berikut: bit.ly/TemuGeorgeQuinn

Sampai ketemu!

GALLERY

A Lasting Legacy: The Smiling Semar

4 December 2022, Salihara Jakarta

 

 

Festival Sastra Lontar

11-15 November 2020

 

 

 

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Through Lontar’s Account:
Account Name: Yayasan Lontar Nusantara
Bank Name: Bank Negara Indonesia BNI
Bank address: Cabang Bendungan Hilir, Jakarta 10210
Account number: 0461 2005 62

 

Address

Jalan Danau Laut Tawar A53
Bendhil, Jakarta Pusat 10210 
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Sat - Sun : Closed

Contact Us

+62 21 5746880
contact@lontar.org