The Voice of Literacy Resounds in Indramayu: “Literacy Must Be the Voice of the Revolution”
INDRAMAYU-JAYA NEWS.COM – The Indramayu Arts Council (DKI) held a commemoration of International Literacy Day with the theme “Voices of the Nation: The Nation’s Sorrow, the Sorrow of Us All” in the courtyard of the Cultural Center (DKI Secretariat) at the Mama Soegra Arts Building, Indramayu, Sunday (September 7, 2025).
DKI Chairman Ray Mengku Sutentra, in his remarks, conveyed the strong message that literacy is not merely the act of reading, but must be a movement for change. “Literacy must be the voice of the revolution so that the nation no longer mourns. The poetry stage must provide meaning, not just recitation of words,” he said enthusiastically, greeted by thunderous applause.
Ali Topan, the chairman of the organizing committee, echoed this sentiment. “The voice of the nation must rise through the open stage. We must give meaning, because the nation’s sorrow is the sorrow of us all,” he said emphatically.
The event featured poetry readings from various poets, conveying messages of awareness, concern, and a call to work together to build the nation. Poet readers included: Ali Topan, Afudz Balada, Biyang Lana, Yadi Bae, Ray Mengku Sutentra, Aliyah, Acep Syahril, Sri Sunarti, Denon Y., Titin, Euis, Rizal, Lita, Lutfiyah, Dzakwan Ali, Ahmad Khoeri, Vika Oktaviani, Surya Hafidin, Teja,Rohman,Rohim,Asep and others.
One participant, Sri Sunarti, expressed her profound impression, saying, “Poetry is not just aesthetics, but our conscience speaking out. Through this stage, I feel we are truly united in healing the nation.”
In addition to the poetry stage, the event also featured a Reading Stall initiated by the S16 Library in collaboration with Amar Ma’ruf volunteers, and Relima from the National Library of Indonesia, Lokus Indramayu, represented by Ahmad Khoeri. These activities encouraged the public to love books and fostered awareness of the importance of a literacy ecosystem.
Ahmad Khoeri emphasized, “Literacy thrives when people are willing to read. With this reading stall, we want to remind everyone that reading is the gateway to freedom of thought.”
The atmosphere that afternoon witnessed the realization that literacy is not just a celebration, but also a cultural revolution. Indramayu resounded with voices that rejected grief, transforming it into a shared spirit: The Voice of the Nation, the Voice of Us All.*
Wari
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