Dorothea Rosa Herliani (Rosa-IVLP) Returnee

Dorothea Rosa Herliani

Since childhood, Rosa (her nickname) has loved to read, although she did not come from a wealthy family that could afford to buy books.  Her love of reading arose because she often played at a neighbor's house where there were lots of books and magazines.

Upon graduating from high school in Yogyakarta, she continued her education to the Department of Indonesian Literature, FPBS Sanata Dharma Yogyakarta (Sanata Dharma). During her academic years, her desire to be a writer grew steadily.  She often held various writing contests, writing exercises, or organized activities related to self expression.  These activities increasingly encouraged Rosa to write in the media.  Her poems appeared in several newspapers, including Sinar Harapan and Suara Pembaruan.

Together with her husband, Andrew Dharmawan, who is also interested in writing, they manage IndonesiaTera. IndonesiaTera is a foundation which has been engaged in research, publishing, and cultural documentation since 1997.  As a writer, she attended the ASEAN young writers meeting in the Philippines in 1990, and the International Poets Festival in Rotterdam, Holland in 1995.  In 2000, she became a writer-in-residence in Australia.

Her collection of poems include: Gaduh Song (1987), the Sun is Flowing (1990), Pupa Quiet (1993), Song of Rebana (1993), Marriage Ilalang (1995), Olive Leaf Autumn Dreams (1999) and Kill the Radio (2001).  Below is our interview with Rosa.

1. Tell us about your current activities

Currently, I am creating a ‘book house’ called DuniaTera.  The book house will become a destination for the thoughts, ideas, and creativity of young people.  I build this in a village in the area of Borobudur.  Activities in this house will start in January next year (2011).  Also, I'm building an alternative publishing group (Publisher danger) which continues to issue alternative ideas about culture and the humanities.  I am also active as chairman of the Institute for Justice and Peace for Women "NUR".  In addition, of course, I still continue to be an active writer.

2. Tell me about the awards that you received

I have received several awards in my lifetime.  A number of them that I can mention include: Best Poetry Book of the Jakarta Arts Council (2000); Best Poets of the Centre for Languages (2003); Arts Award from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for the dedication in the field of literature in 2004; and a Literary Award for the best works of literature (poetry category) in 2006.

3. Tell us the themes that you often highlight in your poems

Women, inequality, morality of power, and humanity.

4. We see that you are very dedicated in the fight for the rights of women, especially through your work. Tell us about it and why this always interests you.

I am pretty much attracted to women as the theme, because in reality the dignity of women is still sidelined and gender inequalities [still] undermine the values of womanhood…in certain layers of the society, especially outside the urban community.  A real intellectual community is also not free from these realities.

5. Tell us about your experiences in the United States and you applied these experiences in Indonesia

I saw how human plurality is the basis for the growth of modern civilizations.  This is the basic foundation and "morality" to build a new generation.  I dream of bright young people, who have strong personalities, built from the power of plurality.  This is what I gained from my observation of America, which I have tried to build in my country.

6. What are your expectations and objectives for your future?

I hope I can continue to have plenty of time to be in the middle of a new bright generation, who often struggle in their thoughts and ideas without political strings attached or narrow ideological views.

I also want to rebuild relationships with alumni as well as networks of people or institutions in America, with which I have lost contact over the years.  This is so I can add more energy to support and to realize the spirit of what I have been dreaming.

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