Literature at the Equator

One of the great ironies about trying to blog literary stuff here, is that news floods in from the UK, the US and Australia about what's happening there via the litblogs and via the online book pages of the major newspapers. But we don't hear too much about what's happening in the region. (And often what we do hear comes to us via the west!).

It's such a pity that the South-East Asian Literary Project died a quiet death as it was a very useful blog with great potential.

The Asian and Pacific Writers Network is well worth taking a look at (and I found this poem by Nicholas Wong there!)** but there is still little communication between writing communities in different parts of SE Asia, and mores the pity.

Having said that, today I received this invitation from Indonesian publisher Richard Oh to the 8th Khatulistiwa Literary Award 2008. This is an award which Richard, book lover extraordinaire, initiated with QB World Books . (This is the bookshop to visit in Jakarta.)

I pass it on to you just in case you can make it, but mostly because, well ... it's just nice to know, isn't it?

Date: Thursday, November 13, 2008
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: At the Atrium of Plaza Senayan
Street: Jl. Asia Afrika, Senayan
City/Town: Jakarta, Indonesia
Contact/ Info Phone: 628111552269
Email: richardoh2007 at gmail dot com

Description :

This is the 8th Khatulistiwa* Literary Award 2008, continuing a tradition for excellence in Indonesian writing. The award has been won by Goenawan Mohamad, Remy Sylado, Hamsad Rangkuti, Seno Gumira, Linda Christanti, and many more.

This year's short list (in random order):

Prose:

Glonggong by Junaedi Setiono, Hubbu by Mashuri, Kaca Piring by Danarto, Rahasia Meede by ES Ito, Bilangan Fu by Ayu Utami

Poetry:

Orgasmanya by Hasan Aspahani, Jantung Lebah Ratu by Nirwan Dewanto, Sajak-sajak Menjelang Tidur by Wendoko, Pandora by Oka Rusmini, Teman-Teman dari Atap Bahasa by Afrizal Malna

And a prize for a writer under 30 years old.

The purse money for prose and poetry this year is Rp 100 millions. And Rp 30 for the winner of Writer Under 30 Years old

*Language note : Khatulistiwa means Equator btw.
** Sorry, not our Nic Wong as Dreamer Idiot points out in the comments.