PADANG PANJANG, kiprahkita.net - The Kuflet Art Community of Padang Panjang officially launched the poetry anthology Negeri Bencana (Land of Disasters) on Saturday (December 28, 2024).
The anthology, featuring works by 100 poets from across Indonesia, was unveiled at the community's venue.
The launch event began with a four-minute documentary film depicting various natural disasters that have struck Indonesia. Scenes of tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, flash floods, landslides, and tornadoes moved the audience to a poignant silence.
Following the screening, the event continued with the signing of the book’s cover by Kuflet leaders, curators, speakers, poets, and invited guests.
Riska Lovani Akbar, the Daily Chair of the Kuflet Art Community, expressed that the book’s publication reflects deep concern over the frequency of natural disasters in Indonesia over the past decades.
“Kuflet Art Community, in collaboration with Elipsis Digital Magazine, began accepting submissions on June 15, 2024. Out of 250 poems submitted, 100 works by 157 poets were selected for publication. These poets hail from Aceh to Maluku, representing voices of concern from across the archipelago,” said Akbar.
Three distinguished speakers provided insights into the anthology: Dr. Sahrul N. (academic and art critic), Adri Sandra (literary figure), and Dr. Sulaiman Juned (literary figure and theater director).
Sahrul opened the discussion by emphasizing that the poems in Negeri Bencana* serve as historical records of tragedy conveyed through aesthetic approaches.
“These poems process disasters into profound poetic expressions. They not only depict destruction but also touch readers’ souls, evoke emotion, and serve as lessons for future generations,” he said.
Hailing from Padang Pariaman, Sahrul shared his personal experience of losing his hometown to a landslide triggered by the 2009 earthquake.
Adri analyzed three poems from the anthology: Surat Cinta dari Sangkakala 1 by Acep Syahril, Surat dari Blang Mancung by L.K. Ara, and Surat untuk Palu dan Donggala by Rico Fernando.
Sulaiman highlighted that publishing books has become an annual tradition for Kuflet.
“Last year, Kuflet published the poetry book Love for Palestine, and this year, Negeri Bencana. This demonstrates Kuflet’s commitment to remaining relevant to humanitarian issues,” he stated.
The event concluded with a monologue by Atika and poetry readings by invited poets and attendees.
Destri Mairoza, a poet from Solok whose work was featured in the anthology, expressed her happiness at being part of this historic moment.
“This event is extraordinary. I feel honored to be among these literary figures,” she said.
Kuflet Chairperson Akbar closed the event with a hope that the anthology would serve as both a reminder and a catalyst for society to care more about environmental and humanitarian issues.
“May Negeri Bencana become a literary legacy that continues to inspire both current and future generations,” he concluded.(mus)
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