When there are many problems in the country, writers across the many regions continue to work. They bring a breath of fresh air to the national culture.
By
KOMPAS EDITOR
·3 minutes read
MAGRIB.ID
Magrib.id is an online media with literary content created by the Makassar poet, Muhary Wahyu Nurba. This media becomes a stage for the works of literary activists..
Over the last several years, literary communities have blossomed in several regions. They move in a new direction, namely as part of the literacy movement and empowerment at the grassroots level. These communities are attended by various groups, ranging from children, adult and students to employees in urban areas and housewives in the villages. Observers see this as a symptom of the democratization of literature that promises the birth of various alternative discourses.
The phenomenon of the emergence of literary communities needs to be supported so it can continue to build into the future. Some ways to support it include strengthening the literary movement ecosystem, especially in the regions, for example through local publications. Even though the literary ecosystem in this country is fairly healthy, it could be healthier (Kompas, 8/3/2022).
This positive news appears in a period of economic and political problems, such as the increase in the prices of goods, claims about controversial fashion shows, the proposal for postponing the general elections and the Russian war against Ukraine. The passion and spirit of writers from these communities go against the flow of these large issues. They struggle back to life and promise discourses and new issues in the flow of the national culture.
MACHRADIN WAHYUDI RITONGA
Behind-the-scenes staff activities at the 2022 Rancage Literary Award Event at the Ajip Rosidi Library, Bandung City, West Java, Monday (31/1/2022)..
In the midst of their passion, we see that literature is no longer monopolized by big names. It also no longer come from big cities, such as Jakarta, Yogyakarta or Denpasar. There is a fragrance of literature from the east to the west. They write, read and center the works of children and laborers to housewives.
All of this makes us hopeful that the national culture is still alive. Yet this culture is no longer composed by big people with big narratives, but by ordinary people who are far from the center of power. They write about their experiences as migrant workers, their experiences with violence, cultural expressions and everyday problems. With all their limitations, they can display their work through publications, performances and even in the form of films.
The literary community movement provides a cool breeze amid the widespread distribution of vague and exciting news through digital media. News that is misleading circulates faster than the works of community writers, whose works may not become a hot topic of discussion. Perhaps the writers are jealous of how these issues go viral despite some of these issues being trash.
However, these literary works created by communities with new narratives are certainly awaited by their fans. They are like a shade in the midst of hot and heavy problems. Their struggle may one day echo into the voice of change. Changes in the nation for the better, namely violence is disappearing, the welfare of the people increasing and justice more evenly distributed. To literature, we hope.
