RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Culture has announced plans to install a statue of the legendary poet Chairil Anwar in Russia during the 2026 National Poetry Day celebrations, as a reciprocal gesture following Russia’s contribution of a Leo Tolstoy statue to the University of Indonesia.

Chairil Anwar, the trailblazing pioneer of the Angkatan ’45 (Generation of '45) literary movement, is considered a cornerstone of Indonesian cultural identity. Despite passing away at the young age of 27, his rebellious and evocative works, most notably the poem Aku, continue to resonate across generations.

The statue is intended for a Russian university that hosts an Indonesian language studies program, likely in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Indonesian studies have a long history in Russia, dating back to 1955 following President Sukarno’s historic visit.

"Chairil Anwar, who died at the age of 27, produced dozens of poems. These poems continue to be an inspiration across generations," Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said in a press release on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

To mark National Poetry Day, which coincides with the anniversary of the poet’s death on April 28, 1949, Minister Fadli and several prominent writers visited Chairil’s grave at the Karet Bivak Cemetery.

A literary critic from the University of Indonesia, Maman Mahayana, noted that Chairil’s work did more than just fill pages, it helped shape the mindset and cultural identity of a new nation. Evawani Alissa, Chairil Anwar’s daughter, expressed her deep gratitude that her father’s legacy remains vibrant 76 years after his passing.

The move to place his likeness in Russia is seen as a strategic effort to introduce the richness of Indonesian literature to the global stage, using the Binatang Jalang (Wild Animal)—as he was famously nicknamed, as a symbol of Indonesia's creative spirit. (Naura Sofia/Bambang MBKA)