Ubud Writers and Readers Festival Literary lunch: Indonesia at Home

As a part of the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Maya Ubud Resort & Spa was held an Indonesian literature session with NH Dini, Laksmi Pamuntjak, Dede Oetomo, and Nurhady Sirimonok on Saturday, October 10, 2009.

NH Dini was born in 1936 in Semarang, Central Java. She is one of the few Indonesian authors who writes about social, cultural, and political injustices suffered by the country’s women. She has penned more than 20 books, and has been awarded the SEA Write Award and Best Literary Award from Ministry of National Education.

Laksmi Pamuntjak. Aside from writing the award-winning Jakarta Good Food Guide Series, she is also the author of two poetry collection, Ellipsis and The Anagram; a treatise on violence and mythology entitled Perang, Langit, dan Dua Perempuan (War, Heaven, and Two Women), and a collection of short stories, The Diary of R.S: Musings on Art.

Dede Oetomo co-founded Lambda Indonesia, Indonesia’s first gay organization in 1982, and Gaya Nusantara, the longest-running Indonesian gay organization in 1987. He is now undertaking research, training and mentoring Indonesian LGBTIQ activities and others concerned with studying sexuality critically.

Nurhady Sirimorok writes literary, history, and cultural critiques, short histories, and has translated several books on history and culture of South Sulawesi. He is currently doing his own research on history of social movement in the province, as a part a bigger wave of rewriting Indonesian history.

In this occasion a variety of Indonesia’s finest dishes were served as well. These include Bebek Betutu (Smoked Duck), Bregedel Tempe (Tempeh Fritters), Sate Lembat Ayam (Chicken Satay with Coconut), Pepes Ikan (Grilled Fish in Banana Leaves), Urab Pakis (Fern Coconut Salad), Nasi Putih (Steamed rice), accompanied by Rujak (Chili-Tamarind Fruit Salad), Sambal (ingredient that contains a large amount of chilis), Kerupuk (Crackers), Ikan Mekuah (Fish Soup), the dessert of Dadar Unti (Green coconut crepes served with caramelized bananas and black rice ice cream), and Balinese coffee and tea.