Writers Unlimited – Writers Tour to Indonesia and Malaysia

Connecting writers with each other and with audiences, across borders of cultures and countries. That is the mission of Writers Unlimited (formerly known as Winternachten), the international literature festival. In an annual event in The Hague, and in tours across the world, Writers Unlimited brings together writers and poets. During those encounters, they exchange – before an audience and amongst each other – their literary work, their experiences, dreams and ideas. In all langagues and in all their cultural diversity.

From 9 to 17 June, four authors will travel with us in a combined tour to Indonesia and Malaysia: Writer and columnist Gündüz Vassaf from Turkey, poet Rodaan Al Galidi from The Netherlands, writer and storytaller Abeer Soliman from Egypt, and writer Maaza Mengiste from Ethiopia/USA.

In Malaysia we perform in Kuala Lumpur, for a general audience and for students. Our partner in Kuala Lumpur is the writer Bernice Chauly, who last year joined us in tours to Cape Town, Suriname and the Antilles. She inivted four authors from Malaysia to perform together with our writers: Dain Said, Kee Thuan Chye, Chuah Guat Eng, Uthara Sankar SB and the Indian writer Dipika Mukherjee.

From Kuala Lumpur we fly to Makassar, on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Here we co-operate with the newly opened cultural center Rumata Art Space. The director, writer Liy Yuianti Farid was one of our participating writers in the January 2011 festival in The Hague. Our four writers will perform in Makassar with local writers and poets: Shinta Februiany, Hendra Gunawan ST, Erni Aladjai and Hamran Sunu, and the renowned poet Sapardi. We will perform not only in Makassar, but also for school pupils in the village of Galesong, and for the local community on the island of Barranglompo.

During the performances, all the authors will read from their work in the original language. Translations into English and/or Indonesian will be projected simultaneously.

The Program:

Reading at Taylor’s University – Kuala Lumpur
The first performance in this tour is in Kuala Lumpur in the Experimental Theatre in Taylor’s University. The writers will read from their work, and talk with the students and other visitors. The four writers invited by Writers Unlimited – Gündüz Vassaf (Turkey), Maaza Mengiste (Ethiopia/USA), Abeer Soliman (Egypt) and Rodaan al Galidi (Netherlands/Iraq) – will perform together with the Malaysian authors Dain Said, Kee Thuan Chye, Chua Guet Eng, Uthara Sankar SB and the Indian writer Dipika Mukherjee. All writers will read in their own language, and their texts will simultaneously be projected on screen in English translation. Admission is free.

Taylor’s University – Experimental Theatre – Kuala Lumpur – Fr 10 Jun – 10.30 hrs

Roodaan al Galidi

Opening programme – Kuala Lumpur

The opening programma in The Annexe Gallery in Kuala Lumpur consists of readings by the authors, and a panel discussion. Part one stars at 10.3am, part two at 2.30pm. Admission is free. The four writers invited by Writers Unlimited will participate: Gündüz Vassaf (Turkey), Maaza Mengiste (Ethiopia/USA), Abeer Soliman (Egypt) and Rodaan al Galidi (Netherlands/Iraq). They will perform together with the Malaysian authors Dain Said, Kee Thuan Chye, Chua Guet Eng, Uthara Sankar SB and the Indian writer Dipika Mukherjee. The discussions are moderated by the Malaysian writers Amir Muhammad and Umpagan Ampikaipakan. Admission is free.

Annexe Gallery, Kuala Lumpur – Sa 11 Jun – 10.00 hrs

Readings and music – Kuala Lumpur

An evening with reading and music. Eight writers will read from their work in the original language. English translations will be projected on screen simultaneously. With Gündüz Vassaf (Turkey), Maaza Mengiste (Ethiopia/USA), Abeer Soliman (Egypt) and Rodaan al Galidi (Netherlands/Iraq),  Dain Said (Malaysia), Kee Thuan Chye (Malaysia), Chua Guet Eng (Malaysia), Uthara Sankar SB (Malaysia) en Dipika Mukherjee (India). Writer Bernice Chauly is the MC. Venue: ‘No Black Tie’, 17, Jalan Mesui, Kuala Lumpur.

No Black Tie, Kuala Lumpur – Su 12 Jun – 20.30 hrs
Cover charge RM 30

Sapardi Djoko Damono

Opening Makassar International Writers Festival 2011

The opening night of the festival. With a short movie screening of ‘Tribute to Mohammad Salim’. Salim is the translator of the classical maniscript of ‘I La Galico’. The distinguished poet Sapardi Djoko Damono will perform this evening. Rodaan al Galidi will read from the classical manuscript, together with three Indonesian poems. Detailed programme will follow soon.
Tickets: Limited seat, contact eventrumata@gmail.com.

Rumata’ Art Space, Makassar, Indonesia – Tu 14 Jun – 19.00 hrs

Writing in the Era of the New Media – Makassar

A programme with Abeer Soliman (Egypt), Tinrity The Naked Traveler (Indonesia) and others. Detailed information will follow soon.

Rumata’ Art Space, Makassar, Indonesia – Th 16 Jun – 16.00 hrs

Rumata Art Space Makassar

The United Nations of Fish

‘The United Nations of Fish, A Fundraising Dinner’. Writers read from their work during dinner, as a fundraising event for the newly opened Rumata Art Space. The evening is organised together with Janet deNeefe, director of the Bali book festival. The four writers on tour for Writers Unlimited will perform together with ’Aisha the little chef’, Sese Lawing and local poets. Ticket price is Rp 200,000, to be purchased via eventrumata@gmail.com.

Rumata’ Art Space, Makassar, Indonesia – Th 16 Jun – 19.00 hrs

For more information go to the website of Writers Unlimited.

—

(post taken from: Latitudes.nu | Writers Unlimited — Writers Tour to Indonesia and Malaysia)