Literary Activities in West Jakarta
JAKARTA-JAYA NEWS.COM – Literary activities are always closely linked to other arts and cultural activities such as theater, dance, music, painting, and many more.
Here, we have actually started with arts and cultural activities, specifically in the form of a Nusantara dance studio. There are even dedicated classes for arts and cultural learning.
“Now, the West Jakarta Kosakata Literary Community has formed, along with the launch of the Kosakata Kota poetry anthology. So, it’s not too late, and there are absolutely no obstacles. Because literary activities are always closely linked to other arts and cultural activities, such as theater,” said the Head of the West Jakarta Culture Sub-agency, Joko Mulyono, in a special interview
in his office at the Arts and Culture Training Center (PPSB) Building in Rawa Buaya, Cengkareng, West Jakarta, Friday afternoon (July 18, 2025).
He stated that there are quite a lot of literary enthusiasts, especially in the administrative city of West Jakarta—including elementary, middle, and high school students—throughout the extracurricular activities at their respective schools.
“I’ve observed a significant number of literary enthusiasts in West Jakarta, both in the creative process of writing poetry, short stories, and prose. I welcome this, and from there, we came up with the idea of forming a literary community through existing literary activists,” he said in an interview with Moctavianus Masheka (Bung Octa), a poet and writer who is also known as the Chairperson of the Indonesian Literature Inspiration Park (TISI).
Furthermore, he has also observed firsthand at several elementary, middle, and high schools, and found that many students have the potential (talent) for literary activities (poetry, short stories, and prose) through extracurricular activities, along with theater, dance, music, and other extracurricular activities.
“Hopefully, the formation of the Kosakata Literature Community and the launch of the joint poetry anthology titled “Kosakata Kota” will create more focus within the community,” he said.
The Head of the West Jakarta Culture Sub-dept., Joko Mulyono, hopes that in the future, the Kosakata Literature Community will have a schedule of activities, including literary festivals and other major literary events.
“And, it can become a voice or a voice for arts and cultural activities, especially in West Jakarta. Moreover, there are already several literary figures here, such as Bung Octa, who initiated the inauguration of the Kosakata Literature Community and the joint launch of the Kosakata Kota poetry anthology,” he said.
There are no special requirements to become a member of the Kosakata Literature Community. It is open to the public, as long as you live in West Jakarta.
Furthermore, facilities such as an auditorium and a theater stage are already in place, and four classes for arts and culture training are already running.
Moctavianus Masheka (Bung Octa), Head of TISi, added that the Kosakata Literary Community is the “biological child” of the West Jakarta Culture Sub-agency (Sudin).
“This literary community is directly under his (Joko Mulyono’s) guidance. The only issue now is how to accommodate literary activities, especially regarding funding or budgeting,” he concluded.
It Can Become a Home for Literature
The Head of the West Jakarta Culture Sub-agency (Kasudin), Joko Mulyono, inaugurated the management of the West Jakarta Jakarta Literary Community (Kosakata) at the Auditorium of the Arts and Culture Training Center, Jalan Rama Raya No. 1, Persada Sayang Complex, Rawa Buaya Village, Cengkareng District, West Jakarta, on Friday afternoon (July 18, 2025).
“I would like to thank the writers who have established an institution, a literary community called Kosakata Jakarta Barat. I wish Kosakata the best of luck in its work. May it become a ‘Home of Literature’ for all writers in DKI Jakarta, especially writers in West Jakarta,” he said in his opening remarks at the literary event.
He will strive to secure a budget for nomenclature—funds for literature—so that if the Kosakata Literary Community plans to hold an event, it will not have to struggle because the budget is already there.
“This will allow Kosakata to develop and advance like other arts.
God willing, next year, the PPSB will be renovated, and we recommend that it become like the Taman Ismail Marzuki building in West Jakarta. So, please help and support me,” said Joko Mulyono enthusiastically, drawing applause from the audience, which included poets, writers, artists, cultural figures, art activists, students, and the general public.
Meanwhile, Imam Ma’arif, a member of the Jakarta Arts Council (DSJ), represented by the Jakarta Literature Committee, expressed his admiration and pride for the existence of Kosakata Jakbar and the inauguration of the Kosakata Literary Community management.
Because it is a new direction for writers in Jakarta, especially West Jakarta.
Meanwhile, Anto Ristargie, the founder of the Kosakata Literary Community, stated that he hopes its formation will create a space for many voices to grow—voices from the quiet alleys, from the colorful and dynamic corners of West Jakarta.
“Because literature is not just writing, but also action, rejection, reminder, and healing. I want to present a Kosakata that is more open, more active, and more relevant to the times, without losing its roots and conscience,” he said. (***)
Contributor: Lasman Simanjuntak
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