Andrea Hirata: International Writing Program Alumni 2010

Andrea Hirata

During his program University of IOWA

The success of Andrea Hirata’s tetralogy — Laskar Pelangi, Sang Pemimpi, Edensor and Maryamah Karpov  — has turned the best-selling author into a rising star on the Indonesian literary scene.  Andrea just returned from the International Writing Program at Iowa University.  His participation in this prestigious program was sponsored by the United States government.  Andrea Hirata shared with the Embassy about how his American experience.  In particular, he noted that his participation has given him additional knowledge on how to approach on the international writing scene.

1. Tell us about your current activities
   
   Currently, I'm preoccupied by another adaptation of my previous novel, Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Troops) into the form of Laskar Pelangi Musical play directed by Riri Riza. I love the adaptation which I find very successful; my attention is focused there. Other than that, I'm getting ready to focus on my literary management, which handles foreign language editions of my novels. In the near future, my novels will be handled by Kathleen Anderson Literary Management in New York.  So the translator and myself are busy dealing with the translation of my novels which are Edensor, Maryamah Karpov, Padang Moon, and Love in the Glass.  Some publishers in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile are also interested in publishing Laskar Pelangi into Spanish and Portuguese.  This time I am actively communicating with the interpreter.
   
2. After the successful launch Laskar Pelangi tetralogy, Padang Moon became the best-selling novel in the history of Indonesian literature.  Are you planning to work on the next novel?
   
   During the three months that I attended a program at the IWP (International Writing Program), University of Iowa, USA, from August to October 2010, I had completed a new novel.  The novel is entitled, “Two Trees,” in the English language.  The Indonesian edition of the novel will be given the title, “Father”; the novel will be published in mid 2011.  I’m also revising a short story that I wrote while I studied in Iowa entitled, “Dry Season.”  This short story will be published in the literary magazine, “Washington Square Review,” New York University, in the January 2011 edition.
   
3. Your novels have been translated into many languages, how do readers foreign countries including the United States respond to your novels?
   
   From what I have seen so far, Laskar Pelangi (international edition of the novel Laskar Pelangi) is always sold out at the Prairie Lights bookstores network in several major cities in America.  I also received many positive reviews from various countries in which my novels have been published.  These two indicators are a reflection hopefully of a good reception for my novels outside of Indonesia.
   
4. You just participated in the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa, sponsored by the U.S. government.  Please tell us about your experience there and the knowledge you gained from the program.
   
   The International Writing Program at the University of Iowa has run for almost 43 years.  When I participated, I came to believe what I've heard – that that the writing program is the best program in the world.  I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to obtain a scholarship to attend the program.  Broadly speaking, the program has given me with two important things: how to apply the methodology of cultural research, especially in research of how to write a novel with culture theme; and second is the fact that it gave me insights on how to write novels that are aimed at a wider audience (global).
   
5. What is your expectation for the future with respect to literary writing, especially for young Indonesian writers?
   
   My expectation for myself and fellow writers, especially young writers, is for them to keep up the spirit to continue to learn and to be productive and to always try to produce high quality works.

Join your Global Alumni Community at alumni.state.gov. For more information, please contact Alumni Coordinator (Mr. Dudi I. Sukendar) at (62-21) 3435-9536 or email SukendarDI@state.gov.