An opportunity to discover new poems by living poets from East Indonesia and to understand and delve deeply into Indonesian culture through literature.
These sessions will combine readings of original poems by Mario F. Lawi, Irma Agryanti and Jamil Massa, along with lively conversations led by William Letford, Rufus Mufasa and Roseanne Watt alongside practical insights into tranforming and translating indigenous texts into the English language.
UK-Indonesia Indigenous Language Poetry Exchange is a collaboration between Makassar International Writers Festival in Indonesia and Contains Strong Language with the support of the British Council, Indonesia National Book Committee, Indonesia Ministry of Education and Culture, BBC and Wrecking Ball Press. It is a legacy programme of the Indonesia Market Focus at The London Book Fair 2019.
About Mario Lawi
Mario F. Lawi is involved in Komunitas Sastra Dusun Flobamora, Kupang. He is also managing translation site bacapetra.co. Published poetry include Ekaristi (2014), Lelaki Bukan Malaikat (2015), Keledai yang Mulia and Puisi-Puisi Lainnya (2019), and Bui Ihi: The Cooling of the Harvest and Other Poems (2019, translated in English by John McGlynn) and the translation Elegedia: elegi-elegi Pendek by Sulpicia.
About Irma Agryanti
Irma Agryanti was born in Mataram, Lombok. She graduated in English literature from Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta and writes short-stories and poetry. She is published in Kompas, Tempo and others. Her poetry is included in the Makassar International Writers Festival selection From East Vol.1 (Gramedia, 2017). She was a nominee in Penghargaan Sastra Litera 2018 literature awards. Published poetry includes Requiem Ingatan (2013) and Anjing Gunung (Basabasi, 2018). She is involved in Komunitas Akarpohon Mataram.
About Jamil Massa
Jamil Massa is a poetry, short-story and essay writer. His writing has been published in Kompas, Koran Tempo and detik.com. His poetry is published in two anthologies: Sayembara Tebu (2016) and Pemanggil Air. His first compilation of short stories is Pembangkangan di Meja No.8. He lives in Gorontalo and manages Universitas Penulisan Kreatif Garasi Kata and Taman Baca Jendela Kata.
About William Letford
William Letford has worked as a roofer, on and off, since he was 15. He has received a New Writer’s Award from the Scottish Book Trust and an Edwin Morgan Travel Bursary which allowed him to spend three months in the mountains of northern Italy helping to restore a medieval village. Work includes the collections Dirt and Bevel.
About Rufus Mufasa
Literary activist, lyricist, rapper and performance art poet Rufus Mufasa is a pioneering participatory artist who advocates hip hop education and poetry development accessible to all. Solo album, Fur Coats From The Lion’s Den, was dubbed a cultural highlight by Wales Arts Review. She writes trilingually in Welsh, English and Finnish, was cast in National Theatre Wales’ Storm 3, and is the first Future Generations poet in residence. Poetry collection, Flashbacks and Flowers, was recently highly commended in the Geoff Stevens Memorial Prize.
About Roseanne Watt
Roseanne Watt is a poet, filmmaker andmusician from Shetland. Her work isinspired by the language and landscape of her home. Roseanne was the winner ofthe 2018 Edwin Morgan Poetry Award, and runner-up in the 2018 AestheticaCreative Writing Award. Her first collection, Moder Dy, will be published by Polygonin May 2019 and features poetry written in both English and her native Shaetlan
RUNNING TIME: 2 hours
LOCATION: Hull Central Library, Albion Street, Hull, HU1 3TF
WARNINGS: Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult
ACCESS: If you have any access provision requirements, please contact editor@wreckingballpress.com in advance of the event but please book your ticket first.
