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| the backdrop had a very eye-catching colors, wasn't it? |
On May 30th, last Saturday, I got a chance to launch my first book, Gerbang Nuswantara. I just knew recently that not all writers have a chance to have his/her book launched officially and being covered by the press, so I felt very lucky to get the publisher that fully support my book and prepare the launching event, finding me the best speaker and moderator that made the event went merry yet relaxed.
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| interviewed by Kompas TV before the event started |
At 2 p.m., Gramedia Grand Indonesia, East Mall Level 2, was started to crowded with visitors, and some were sitting nicely on the seats prepared by the bookstore. I got some important guests that made me feel honored with their visit: Mr. Harry Soejono, Mr. Andris Halim (author of Cakrapolis comics), Mr. Nuranto (Tembi Yogya) and family, Mr. Anton (Tembi Yogya) and family, also Mr. Stanley Harsha (author of "Like the Moon and the Sun"--whose book just released and launched last month) and wife. I felt so special for this.
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| my editor, Mas Atmo, handed me the book as the symbolized the official book launching |
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| My shirt pattern is batik mega mendung and the jarik is jumputan |
Finally all the performers arrived and the event began--started with the book launching. The publisher gave the book symbollicly to me, represented by my editor, Mr. Mahatma Chrysna. After that, Mr. Danie Satrio (chief editor of Hai Magazine) as moderator of Book Review; Ms. Dhea Seto (young dancer & artist) and also Mr. Arswendo Atmowiloto (writer & humanist) as speakers sat next to me. I just met them in persons on the day, without any chit-chat or approach before. The truth is, I felt a little groggy. But Mr. Satrio calmed me, asked questions to the speakers that made me both relaxed and amazed listening to their answers.
One curiosity that came from Mr. Atmowiloto was the fact that he had read my book before, with a precise details that he couldn't got it from other book--some kind of déjà vu, perhaps. And he remembers the plot, the characters to a certain page. "It's the power of art," he answered when he was asked about the legitimation of the literature references I used. I felt so honored to see how Mr. Atmowiloto liked the story and the message I delivered thru the book.
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| Dhea was showing the gesture of "tating" in basic dancing |
Dhea Seto claimed another thing about her interest on this book, as one of very few books she could finish reading. I felt very flattered by the fact that she impregnated my book so much, that she considered to have everything from the culture and ethics to math formulas. I was touched when Dhea praised the book honestly because she was not told or paid but she really felt a connection with Rani's character and there were some similarities between what her dancing instructor said about our nation with what I wrote in this book.
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| Dhea Seto, Danie Satrio, me and Arswendo Atmowiloto |
Actually I felt a little disappointed because many of my friends and acquaintances couldn't make it to attend, due to other events or got stuck in Jakarta's Saturday traffic. But to see the enthusiasm from the store visitors who were there randomly and interested to listen to the book review until the end of the event and finally bought my book, I was back on fire and amazed, especially the fact that the book is enjoyed by both humanists and teenagers (old and young, from various field of interest)--which means all circles.
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| an ex-neighbor from Bandung came specially for this event and gave me this handmade Keraton Yogyakarta's lighter case |
I really hope that this book can be the starting gate of our introduction with the world and civilization of Nuswantara, our own ancestors, and also the introduction gate to our own identity as Indonesian people. I hope this love for culture could spread to the corners of this country and become the beginning of the rise of Indonesia nation in the eyes of the world.
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| some friends and colleagues who came and supported me |
My endless thanks go to the Kompas Book Publisher team and Gramedia Grand Indonesia who had prepared the whole event, to all speakers and moderator who were willing to attend and enliven the launching, to all family who always supporting my back, and especially to all who came at the book launching and review. I present this book to all of you!
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| my big family as the best supporters |
