Launch and Discussion of Two Poetry Anthologies by LK.Ara: Syair Sejarah Sultanah Safiatuddin and Restu
JAKARTA-JAYA NEWS.COM – The launch and discussion of two poetry anthologies by LK.Ara, Syair Sejarah Sultanah Safiatuddin and Restu (a travelogue-ed.) will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, starting at 2:15 PM WIB (Western Indonesian Time) in the Hall of the HB. Jassin Literary Documentation Center (PDS), 4th Floor of the Panjang Ali Sadikin Building, Jakarta Arts Center (PKJ) Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Jakarta.
Octavianus Masheka, Chairman of the Indonesian Literary Inspiration Park (TISI), told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday morning (March 25, 2026) that the literary event will include an anthology book launch, a discussion, and book and cash prizes.
“We’ll bring home prizes and knowledge. Come on, let’s liven up this literary event,” he said.
With MC Rissa Churia (Indonesian Female Poet) and Moderator Mustafa Ismail, the event will open with remarks from Nasruddin Djoko Surjono (Head of the Jakarta Library and Archives Office) and feature discussion speakers such as Narudin Pituin (Poet and Cultural Figure), LK.Ara (Poet), Octavianus Masheka (Poet and Declarator), and Ine Hidayah (Gayo Sebuku Maestro).
Also participating in the poetry readings will be Jose Rizal Manua (Poet and Declarator), Imam Ma’arif (Poet and Declarator), Ical Vrigar (Declarator), Putra Gara (Poet), Fanny Jonathan Poyk (Poet), Willy Ana (Poet), Farinnisa (Poet Reader), and Indar (Poet Reader).
Biography of Poet L. K. Ara
L. K. Ara is a poet and cultural activist born in Takengon, Aceh, on November 12, 1937. He is known for his poetry, which is imbued with religious and Sufi nuances, and strongly embodies the local wisdom of the Gayo and Acehnese lands.
In his creative journey, he views poetry not merely as aesthetic expression, but also as a path for spiritual reflection, a reminder of history, and a social bridge for the community.
From a young age, L. K. Ara has shown a keen interest in literature, particularly poetry and traditional poetry. He grew up in a cultural environment rich in traditional values, Gayo didong (traditional songs), heroic tales, and profound Islamic traditions.
These influences are clearly evident in his poetic style, which is lyrical, reflective, and sometimes lightly satirical, yet still full of moral messages and wisdom.
Throughout his poetic career, L. K. Ara has written and published several books of poetry. His works often explore themes of loss, the search for the meaning of life, divine love, social concern, and the relationship between humans and nature and history.
He also actively reads poetry in various arts forums and literary gatherings, including cross-cultural activities at home and abroad.
In addition to writing, L. K. Ara plays a role in preserving Acehnese traditional arts, particularly Gayo culture. He frequently incorporates local figures, places, and legends into his poetry, thus creating living cultural documentation. For him, poetry is a way to preserve collective memory so that it won’t be eroded by time.
Even in his advanced age, his passion for creating art remains vibrant. He also utilizes digital media, including his YouTube channel, to share poetry, cultural reflections, and documentation of traditional arts with the younger generation. This demonstrates his commitment to the need for literature to continue to evolve with the times without losing its spirit.
Throughout his long career, L. K. Ara is seen as a significant voice in the contemporary Acehnese literary landscape—a poet who writes from the heart, teaches from experience, and preserves the light of tradition in words.
In 2019, he received the Republic of Indonesia Cultural Award as a maestro of Gayo Traditional Arts. (***)
Contributor: Lasman Simanjuntak
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