Poet Pulo Lasman Simanjuntak Launches Poetry Anthology Republic: My Poems Write a Darker Indonesia
JAKARTA-JAYA NEWS.COM – Poet Pulo Lasman Simanjuntak became the fourth poetry reader in a poetry reading parade at the launch and literary discussion of the poetry anthology book, held jointly by REPUBLIC OF PUITIK and MANIFESTO JABODETABEK, at the literary event “POETS READ 80 YEARS OF INDONESIA’S INDEPENDENCE.”
Organized by the Indonesian Literature Inspiration Park (TISI), chaired by Octavianus Masheka, the event took place at the HB. Jassin Literary Documentation Center (PDS) Hall, Jakarta Arts Center (PKJ) Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) in Jakarta on Sunday afternoon (September 28, 2025).
On this occasion, poet Pulo Lasman Simanjuntak, also known as a journalist, read his own poem, “SAJAKKU MENULIS INDONESIA MAKIN GELAP,” written in Jakarta on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. This poem appears on page 115, and his biography appears on page 208, in the poetry anthology REPUBLIK PUITIK.
In attendance were prominent Indonesian poets and writers such as Sutardji Calzoum Bachri, Puang Aspar Paturusi and his wife, Isbedi Setiawan Z.S., Jose Rizal Manua, Taufik Rahzen, Saut Poltak Tambunan, Ewith Bahar, Kurnia Effendi, Halimah Munawir Anwar, Linda Djalil, Imam Maarif, Nanang Ribut Supriyatin, Shobier Poer, Yahya Andi Saputra, Guntoro Sulung II, and Giyanto Subagio.
Then, Swary Utami Dewi, Emi Suy, Nunung Noor El Niel, Nurhayati, Nuyang Jaimee, Rissa Churria, Wawan Hamzah Arfan, Heryus Saputro, Adri Darmadji Woko, Mustari Irawan, Budi Setywan, Alex R Nainggolan, and many other poets and writers were in attendance.
“The poem I read, ‘MY POEM WRITES INDONESIA IS GARLIC,’ is a portrait of my direct involvement as the author of the poem’s content and a reporter who directly addresses the current situation in Indonesia, which is on the verge of social revolution,” he said.
This poetry anthology, “80+ poets” commemorates Indonesia’s 80th anniversary of independence, is initiated by M. Octavianus Masheka, Chair of the Indonesian Literary Inspiration Park (TISI), edited by poet Nanang Ribut Supriyatin, written by A. Slamet Widodo and others, and features a cover and cover art by Wahyu Bray Iskandar. It also features a prologue by poet Isbedy Stiawan ZS and an epilogue by poet Sofyan RH Zaid.
This 216-page literary book was published by TARESIA (Gerbang Literasi Nusantara) in collaboration with the Indonesian Literary Inspiration Park Community (TISI), PDS.HB.Jassin, and the Jakarta Provincial Library and Archives Office. ORCBN: 62-159-2749-664, first printing September 2025, 216 pages, 14×20 cm.**
Flora Kolondam
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