Indonesian literature
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Environmental jihadCan "green Islam" save Indonesia from climate collapse?
Calls for an environmentally-conscious form of Islam are growing in Indonesia, as climate change poses enormous ecological challenges for the country. Experts say it could change society's approach to climate efforts. Enno Hinz reports
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Interview with Indonesian author and feminist Feby Indirani"God is my partner in crime"
Described by some as a Muslim feminist, Feby Indirani’s writing is daring and light-hearted at once. Her collection of short stories – "Bukan Perawan Maria" – recently translated into Italian, parodies the inconsistencies of radical Islam and orthodoxy, while seeking to emphasise the humanity we all share. Interview by Naima Morelli
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Education in IndonesiaBoatloads of books
Grassroots initiatives are ensuring that children have access to books in some Indonesian villages. Appreciation of books is rising in general. By Edith Koesoemawiria
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Book review: Eka Kurniawan′s ″Beauty is a wound″A hidden literary gem
Indonesia′s literary shooting star, Eka Kurniawan, recently longlisted for the Man Booker International Prize, is already being hailed as Pramoedya Ananta Toer′s successor. Although ″Beauty is a wound″ was published in 2002, Kurniawan has only recently gained international recognition with its English translation. Sherif Abdel Samad read the book
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Laksmi Pamuntjak′s novel "The Question of Red"The silence is broken
In her novel "The Question of Red", Indonesian author Laksmi Pamuntjak effectively combines the multi-faceted nature of the island state′s sociopolitical system and its bloody recent history with the fate of her fictional protagonists. Bettina David read the book
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Indonesian comicsReincarnating ancient heroes
Taking the Indonesian comics scene by storm: new takes on legendary figures are challenging Japanese manga dominance. Seno Gumira Ajidarma provides an insight into Indonesia′s new graphic novels and serial comics
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Islamic popular literature: ″Sastra Islami″″God′s gift to Indonesia″
Sastra Islami is seen by its representatives as a corrective to the increasing ″Westernisation″ and ″secularisation″ of Indonesia. It presents itself as a religious counter-movement to the firmly secular literature published since the fall of Suharto in 1998. By Bettina David
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Frankfurt Book Fair: Indonesian Literature
Discovering a new world
Poetry books as bestsellers, authors as self-promoters – the literary scene in Indonesia works differently. Nevertheless, many a book has secured itself a small place on the world literary map. By Martin Maria Schwarz
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Portrait of the Indonesian author Linda Christanty"I want to write until I die"
Linda Christanty is one of the most admired writers in Indonesia. In 1989, she became the youngest author to win the annual short story prize from "Kompas", Indonesia's largest daily newspaper. In 2013, she won the prestigious Southeast Asian Writers Award. Christina Schott met her in Jakarta
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Indonesian literature at the Frankfurt Book FairThe island that literature forgot
In his essay, the Indonesian writer and literary critic Wayan Sunarta sheds light on the history of modern Indonesian literature, and explains why it has so far failed to establish itself internationally
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An interview with Indonesian author Sigit SusantoBeyond "dustbin literature"
Have there been any fundamental changes in Indonesian literature since the end of Suharto′s long dictatorship? What subjects do Indonesia′s writers focus on these days? And why is cyber-poetry and Islamic literature currently enjoying such popularity in the island republic? Birgit Lattenkamp discussed these questions with Indonesian author Sigit Susanto
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Frankfurt Book Fair 2015: guest of honour IndonesiaSeven must-know authors from Indonesia
Indonesia is the guest country at the Frankfurt Book Fair this autumn. Just under 70 Indonesian authors will be in Frankfurt to give public readings. Qantara.de introduces seven of them. By Monika Griebeler