2016
Inspiration and expiration - Day 3
29 October 2016
Nearly expired from the heat and weariness after another long but inspiring day of journalists, a world famous author, Western writers inspired by Indonesia, Indonesian language issues, children performing the tale of the Lost Gibbon, and young Indonesian writers launching their bilingual anthology. No wonder I have forgone tonight's Poetry Slam leaving the others to carry on, and made my escape home.
Lionel Shriver, despite controversy at the recent Brisbane Writers Festival regarding 'cultural appropriation', was an inspiring speaker. Her new book, The Mandibles about total economic collapse in America in the not too distant future, as experienced by the four generations of the Mandible family, sounds like a must-read. I had forgotten she can be funny! Though there was certainly nothing to laugh about in We need to Talk About Kevin. By the way, I learned today that her original title of that huge hit was going to be Cradle to Grave and Shriver admits if she had gone with that she would not have been invited to Ubud today! Remember her advice, all you aspiring writers out there, the title is everything when it comes to attracting a publisher! And readers.
Lionel Shriver, despite controversy at the recent Brisbane Writers Festival regarding 'cultural appropriation', was an inspiring speaker. Her new book, The Mandibles about total economic collapse in America in the not too distant future, as experienced by the four generations of the Mandible family, sounds like a must-read. I had forgotten she can be funny! Though there was certainly nothing to laugh about in We need to Talk About Kevin. By the way, I learned today that her original title of that huge hit was going to be Cradle to Grave and Shriver admits if she had gone with that she would not have been invited to Ubud today! Remember her advice, all you aspiring writers out there, the title is everything when it comes to attracting a publisher! And readers.
Heard our former Open High student, Madeline Dickie, speak on a panel (remember I met up with her at Amandari). Her book, Troppo sounds like a stunning first novel about the fraught interaction between surfers and locals - plenty of black magic! Ian was on this panel too. His books were highly praised by the moderator.
Down town to Bar Luna mid afternoon for the book launch of the kids' environmental story to raise awareness of forest and fauna conservation in Kalimantan. Introduced by slides and a talk by a woman from the NGO, Borneo Nature Foundation, followed by some of Jazz's classmates acting out the story in cleverly made masks. Jazz and others provided the sound effects and jungle sounds. Then they all sang a delightful song in Indonesian and English about animals and nature being our friends. And guess who was "there" - David Attenborough! The NGO had come across him at an orangutan reserve in Kalimantan and asked him to help promote the book, which he willingly did in a lovely little film clip - his signature uncombed hair as endearing as ever. I hope I can still travel to Indonesia when I am 90. Janet Dawson joined Josh and me for this little fringe event of the festival! Lots of Pelangi school families there.
Back up to Taman Baca for the launch of the Anthology and my first chance to meet the rest of the authors I had translated. A lovely formal event in which the writers were lauded (15 selected out of 800 submissions) and presented with hard-cover copies of the anthology. We translators were introduced and soundly thanked for our contribution and given a chance to say a few words. Then each writer read from his or her work, some choosing the English version, others the Indonesian. They obviously delighted in each other's company. Must be great to meet fellow writers from across the archipelago and share these four days in Ubud. Several of them wanted photos with me, and one dedicated his reading to me, the gorgeous Royyan who was on the panel the other day. He read the sex scene passage from his story, as he did the other day - which might end up on ABC radio (Michael Cathcart apparently recorded the panel the other day and has asked our permission to broadcast it - or perhaps edited bits of it.
Back up to Taman Baca for the launch of the Anthology and my first chance to meet the rest of the authors I had translated. A lovely formal event in which the writers were lauded (15 selected out of 800 submissions) and presented with hard-cover copies of the anthology. We translators were introduced and soundly thanked for our contribution and given a chance to say a few words. Then each writer read from his or her work, some choosing the English version, others the Indonesian. They obviously delighted in each other's company. Must be great to meet fellow writers from across the archipelago and share these four days in Ubud. Several of them wanted photos with me, and one dedicated his reading to me, the gorgeous Royyan who was on the panel the other day. He read the sex scene passage from his story, as he did the other day - which might end up on ABC radio (Michael Cathcart apparently recorded the panel the other day and has asked our permission to broadcast it - or perhaps edited bits of it.
Bumped into our pianist and his manager Chendra. They appeared to be as delighted to see me as I was to see them. I had written to Chendra this morning on FB to tell him our reaction to the extraordinary concert and he replied asking would I re-post it to Comments so Ananda and Mariska could also see it - got immediate responses from them! Cathy got to meet them today too and took photos! I was given a CD!!! So you folks back home can hear what I am talking about.
The heavens opened at this point of the day- the first rain since the festival began, but the next couple of events could be jammed into the pavilion space - heard part of a performance by a Tibetan singer (from Australia!) playing an instrument that sounded like a banjo, but did not look like one. He was fabulous - his voice and singing style had a unique sound. Got us all singing chorus bits in Tibetan!
Now off to Day 4. All over by tonight and I'll give you loyal readers a break!
Now off to Day 4. All over by tonight and I'll give you loyal readers a break!