Indonesian noted writer Goenawan Mohamad said that literary criticisms were not voiced at the same time, meaning that criticism can be made without listening to the echo of literature. Thus was said by Goenawan Mohammad in Seminar on Literary Criticism Politics in Indonesia at Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri Cultural Centre of Universitas Gadjah Mada on Tuesday (24/11).
He added to discuss politics, including criticism, various perspectives would emerge. There is politics meaning policy or party. He quoted first President Soekarno as saying that politics was the gathering and use of power. This statement lies in different context and consequence that are different from those of today.
“If the current politics is interpreted as power, then there lies perpetual legitimacy. Currently, there is none writing literary criticism under the premise that what he proposes will give form to the literature that is and will be created,” he said.
He gave the example of literary criticism in Europe that had longer discussed the history of literary criticism. Even when Lonesto who was upset had to face critics, he undermined them as being students, not headmasters of literary works. Goenawan viewed that debate between criticsm and literature should not have happened.
“In this occassion, I was just trying to answer why tensions should not have happened and would not happen again,” he said.
The national seminar presented 16 speakers that have passed a selection before. They are Muhhamad Al-Fayyadi, Hamzah Muhammad, Wijaya Herlambang, Faruk HT, Katrin Bandel,Bandung Mawardi, Muhidin M Dahlan, Endhiq Anang, RM Kurniawan Master Desiarto, Narudin,Tia Setiadi, I. B. Putera Manuaba, Yongky Gigih Prasisko, Wahyu Heriyadi, Yoeph Yapi Taum, and Esha Tegar Putra.
Aisyah Hilal, manager of the Centre, said they hoped the seminar would produce questions that can be discussed further in the next events, leading to quality writings.