Voices of International Poets for Indonesian Poetry Day
Jakarta-Jayanews.com – The 14th Indonesian Poetry Day in 2026 attracted the attention of poets and cultural figures from foreign countries across four continents: Europe, America, Asia, and Africa.
Video messages from those who submitted them were collected and then broadcast on a large screen that served as the backdrop for the Indonesian Poetry Day event, held at Graha Utama, Kemendikdasmen Building (Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education), Central Jakarta, Sunday (July 26, 2026).
Having a Poetry Day for a country is a mark of prestige because it demonstrates the height of civilization, the strength of cultural identity, and also indicates that the country is capable of preserving its language and rich literature.
The United States even considers poetry a means of social healing.
The Indonesian Poetry Day Foundation, which has organized Indonesian Poetry Day since 2013, hopes that this annual Indonesian Poetry Day event can become a cultural bridge between countries.
This is also the hope of the international poets, who added their congratulations, hoping that poetry would become a strong connection for poets worldwide, voicing their voices for justice, gender equality, and humanity, while simultaneously spreading the spirit of love.
As expressed by Alvaro Maio and Isilda Nunes from Portugal; Sayeeda Sharmin and Shikdar Mohammed Kibriah from Bangladesh; Maja Milojkovic and Emir Sokolovic from Serbia.
Furthermore, Dimitris P. Kraniotis from Greece; Abdukakhor Kosimov Sattorovich from Tajikistan; Rozalia Alexandrova from Bulgaria; Bilal Al-Masri from Lebanon; Luz Maria Lopez from Puerto Rico; Jasmine Sfiligoj from Croatia; Zlatan Demirovic from the United States; Manoj Krishnan from India; Barbaros Irdelmen from Turkey; and Folajimi Notch Shoaga from Nigeria.
Ewith Bahar, the coordinator for Indonesia’s relations with international poets, stated that in the future, these relations could be strengthened through mutual visits, residency programs, and other initiatives.
“Of course, it will be open to all poets in Indonesia through a mechanism to be determined later,” he concluded. (***)
Contributor: Lasman Simanjuntak
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