Indonesia / Guest of Honour of the Frankfurt Book Fair 2015
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Laksmi Pamuntjak′s novel "The Question of Red"The silence is broken
In her novel "The Question of Red", Indonesian author Laksmi Pamuntjak effectively combines the multi-faceted nature of the island state′s sociopolitical system and its bloody recent history with the fate of her fictional protagonists. Bettina David read the book
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Indonesian comicsReincarnating ancient heroes
Taking the Indonesian comics scene by storm: new takes on legendary figures are challenging Japanese manga dominance. Seno Gumira Ajidarma provides an insight into Indonesia′s new graphic novels and serial comics
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Islamic popular literature: ″Sastra Islami″″God′s gift to Indonesia″
Sastra Islami is seen by its representatives as a corrective to the increasing ″Westernisation″ and ″secularisation″ of Indonesia. It presents itself as a religious counter-movement to the firmly secular literature published since the fall of Suharto in 1998. By Bettina David
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Frankfurt Book Fair: Indonesian Literature
Discovering a new world
Poetry books as bestsellers, authors as self-promoters – the literary scene in Indonesia works differently. Nevertheless, many a book has secured itself a small place on the world literary map. By Martin Maria Schwarz
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Portrait of the Indonesian author Linda Christanty"I want to write until I die"
Linda Christanty is one of the most admired writers in Indonesia. In 1989, she became the youngest author to win the annual short story prize from "Kompas", Indonesia's largest daily newspaper. In 2013, she won the prestigious Southeast Asian Writers Award. Christina Schott met her in Jakarta
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Indonesian literature at the Frankfurt Book FairThe island that literature forgot
In his essay, the Indonesian writer and literary critic Wayan Sunarta sheds light on the history of modern Indonesian literature, and explains why it has so far failed to establish itself internationally
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An interview with Indonesian author Sigit SusantoBeyond "dustbin literature"
Have there been any fundamental changes in Indonesian literature since the end of Suharto′s long dictatorship? What subjects do Indonesia′s writers focus on these days? And why is cyber-poetry and Islamic literature currently enjoying such popularity in the island republic? Birgit Lattenkamp discussed these questions with Indonesian author Sigit Susanto
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Frankfurt Book Fair 2015: guest of honour IndonesiaSeven must-know authors from Indonesia
Indonesia is the guest country at the Frankfurt Book Fair this autumn. Just under 70 Indonesian authors will be in Frankfurt to give public readings. Qantara.de introduces seven of them. By Monika Griebeler
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Interview with the Indonesian writer Feby IndiraniIndonesian literature "needs more exposure"
Indonesia is the guest of honour at the 2015 Frankfurt Book Fair. Feby Indirani was an accomplished TV journalist when she decided to leave her job to focus on writing. Monika Griebeler spoke to her about the challenges of being a writer in Indonesia, the potential of Indonesian literature and her own journey as a writer
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Literature in IndonesiaA land without readers
Indonesia is guest of honour at this autumn's Frankfurt Book Fair. That's a remarkable situation, because readers make up only a tiny proportion of the country's 250 million people. By Monika Griebeler
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Andrea Hirata's novel "The Rainbow Troops"One novel; two very different versions
Andrea Hirata's novel "The Rainbow Troops" is the first Indonesian novel to become an international bestseller. Interestingly, the version available outside Indonesia is very different to the one familiar to Indonesian readers. Bettina David explores why