KBRN, Yogyakarta: The Taman Budaya Yogyakarta (TBY) successfully hosted a Sarasehan Sastra (Literary Symposium) on Thursday, February 13, 2025, exploring the city's vibrant literary scene.

The symposium, themed "Yogyakarta is the Capital of Literary Books," brought together over 50 participants for an afternoon of insightful discussions.

From 1.30 p.m. to 4 p.m., the TBY Seminar Room buzzed with activity as participants delved into the intricate workings of Yogyakarta's literary ecosystem, examining the roles of writers, publishers, booksellers, readers, and literary archives.

"This year, we focused the symposium on this theme to reignite a discussion about Yogyakarta's rich cultural landscape and the crucial role of literature within it," said Latief Setia Nugraha, Coordinator of the 2025 Literature Symposium at the event, last week.

The Sarasehan Sastra 2025 aimed to celebrate and solidify Yogyakarta's position as a dynamic hub for book activities in Indonesia.

With a thriving publishing ecosystem involving writers, readers, universities, and booksellers, Yogyakarta has cultivated a unique and vibrant literary environment.

"We chose this theme to inspire action," explained Latief. "We hope this symposium will motivate communities, publishers, and individuals to engage in meaningful discussions and contribute to the ongoing literary discourse. Everyone has a voice and deserves a platform to share their perspectives."

The symposium also aimed to raise public awareness about the importance of literature and foster new initiatives to develop the literary world in Yogyakarta further.

Furthermore, it served as a fitting tribute to Yogyakarta's 270th anniversary, recognizing books as a cornerstone of the city's rich history and culture.

Prominent literary figures, Indrian Koto, Bagas Setia Wicaksana, and Sukandar, emphasized the crucial role of preserving Javanese literature.

They also discussed the evolving dynamics of the book publishing industry within the broader context of Indonesian literature.

"What makes Yogyakarta special is that publishers can also be writers, and writers can also be booksellers," remarked Sukandar (Cak Kandar), owner of Interlude Book Publishing, highlighting the unique interconnectedness of the literary ecosystem in the city.

The speakers also stressed the importance of preserving older literary works to safeguard Indonesia's rich cultural heritage.

"We carefully selected speakers based on their expertise in three key areas: Javanese literature, Indonesian literature, and vintage books," explained Latief, emphasizing the symposium's focus on comprehensively exploring the city's literary landscape.

Selvi, a participant from Bandung, appreciated the insightful presentations.

"I was particularly interested in in-depth learning about the Yogyakarta's unique literary ecosystem. The speakers provided valuable insights into how various factors contribute to making Yogyakarta a center for literary activity in Indonesia," she said.

Selvi particularly praised the presentation by Cak Kandar, highlighting the unique role of Interlude Book Publishing in supporting Javanese literature and providing a platform for independent writers.

"It's rare to find publishers specializing in Javanese literature," she observed. "JBS, as an independent publisher, provides a valuable space for many independent writers who may not find a place with larger publishing houses, and these writers enrich the Indonesian literary landscape." ***