On August 25th, 2023, the Kagama Poetry Reading Community (KAPOETREN) organized a special event in collaboration with two other communities – the “Melati Rinonce” community of women Javanese poetry writers and the “Nyareng Boenga Ketjil” community. The event took place at the UGM Museum, Bulaksumur Blok D6-D7, and was aimed at commemorating the 78th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, as well as promoting literature and poetry. The main highlight of the event was the launching of a collection of geguritan or Javanese poetry titled “Nyareng 2”. About 30 people from the three communities attended the event, and there was also a special guest appearance from the “Lincak” Community, whose members are students of the Faculty of Arts UGM. Overall, it was an insightful and enriching event that brought together like-minded individuals who share a passion for literature and poetry.
Fifteen talented poets graced the event with their evocative poetry readings, transporting the audience to a world of emotions. These poets hailed from various cities including Jombang, Sragen, Pacitan, Magelang, Semarang, and more, adding to the diversity of the event. The performances were not limited to traditional geguritan, as some poets presented their works in both Indonesian and English, showcasing their versatility and proficiency.
During the book launching session of “Nyareng 2”, one of the initiators of “Nyareng Boenga Ketjil” community, Didik Eros Sudarjono, expressed his frustration on the scarcity of Javanese-language poetry anthologies compared to Indonesian-language poetry. He traveled all the way from Jombang to attend the event. Sudarjono and his friends in the “Nyareng Boenga Ketjil” community are committed to preserving Javanese traditions and take this responsibility seriously.
It is interesting to note that Didik Eros Sudarjono, one of the initiators of Nyareng Boenga Ketjil, traveled all the way from Jombang to attend the book launching session of “Nyareng 2”. During the session, he expressed his frustration over the scarcity of Javanese-language poetry anthologies as compared to Indonesian-language poetry. To preserve Javanese traditions, he and his friends from the “Nyareng Boenga Ketjil” community are fully committed and serious.
Novi commends two Javanese tradition-focused communities, “Melati Rinonce” and “Nyareng Boenga Ketjil”. She specifically praises the latter for publishing two geguritan anthologies.
“This is a source of inspiration for us. KAPOETREN plans to publish an anthology of poetry specifically by members of our community,” Novi concluded.
