Minangkabau has produced some of the most influential writers and their works have shaped modern Malay literature today. To name a few, Marah Rusli’s Siti Nurbaya (1922); Abdoel Moeis’s Salah Asuhan (1928); Hamka’s Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Weik (1938) have been translated into many languages and some have been made into films. These works are closely read in literature courses in universities in Malaysia and Singapore. Most of the above writers were part of a centennial National Publishing company namely Balai Pusaka, therefore their generation was called Angkatan Balai Pustaka, and also recognised as Angkatan Siti Nurbaya, indicating the popularity and significance of the book then.

Bumi Minangkabau did not stop producing fine writers such as AA Navis and Wisran Hadi, to name a few, whose works have been praised by readers and critics. What could be the reason(s) of this phenomena? What are the impacts of these works on the literary and intellectual development of Indonesia and the region? Will there be future Minangkabau writers that will match or surpass those famous names of the past?

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VENUE: National Library Board (Possibility Room, Level 5)
ADDRESS: 100 Victoria Street, Singapore 188064
EVENT WEBSITE: Facebook, Eventbrite (for registration)

DATE AND TIME
5 Oct 2019, 2pm–4pm