Yogyakarta, September 30, 2026 — The Undergraduate Program in Indonesian Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), in collaboration with Kompas Gramedia, Bentara Budaya, and Penerbit Julang, held the launch of Janji yang Harus Ditepati: Promises to Keep, a collection of poetry by Sitor Situmorang, edited and translated by Harry Aveling. The event took place on Wednesday (30/9) starting at 1:00 PM Western Indonesia Time (WIB) until completion, in Room 709, 7th Floor of the Soegondo Building, FIB UGM.
The book launch featured several speakers from literary, academic, and literary translation backgrounds. Harry Aveling participated as a literary translator, Keith Foulcher as a literary historian, Muhammad Haji Salleh as an academic and national poet, and Ramayda Akmal as a writer and lecturer at FIB UGM. Three of the speakers—Harry Aveling, Keith Foulcher, and Muhammad Haji Salleh—joined the discussion online, while Ramayda Akmal attended in person. The discussion was moderated by Ni Made Purnama Sari, a writer.
In addition to the discussion, the event featured poetry readings by Rinai Yasmin, Ratu Bagus Lembayung, Alna Hafifah, and Ki Winarto Sabdo. Two of the poetry performers, Ratu Bagus Lembayung and Alna Hafifah, are students of the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program at FIB UGM. These poetry readings served as a medium to bring Sitor Situmorang’s literary works directly to the audience while broadening appreciation for Indonesian poetry through the readers’ interpretations.
This book launch provided an opportunity to connect readers with Sitor Situmorang’s works through the lenses of editing, translation, literary criticism, and poetry performance. The diverse backgrounds of the speakers also opened up avenues for exchanging ideas regarding Indonesian literature and the role of translation in expanding cross-lingual readership.
The collaboration between the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program of FIB UGM, Bentara Budaya, and Julang forms part of an effort to expand the space for literary appreciation and discussion through partnerships between educational institutions and cultural organizations. This event supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education through the reinforcement of literacy and literary appreciation, as well as SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals through cross-institutional collaboration in supporting the development and promotion of literary works.
Author: Indonesian Language and Literature Program
