Jakarta - Commemorating National Book Day 2024, Masyarakat Penggiat Seni Indonesia (MPSI) held a program "Remembering Poet Saut Sitompul" at the Alternative Room, Posko #saveTIM, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta (20/5).
Not only known as a qualified poet, Saut Sitompul, born in Pematang Siantar, February 10, 1955 until his death in Jakarta on January 9, 2004, was one of the figures who actively stimulated the poetry life in Jakarta. As a poet, he chose a unique and authentic path. Saut read and hawked his poetry books on city buses, at art and cultural events, and on various other occasions. As an artist, he is known as an open and egalitarian person who believes he can live off poetry. By reading poetry on city buses, he can support his family's kitchen.
Saut Sitompul published two monumental poetry collections, Kongres Kodok and Tulis! is known as a multi-talented artist. He studied at the Driyarkara School of Philosophy and music at LPKJ (Jakarta Arts Education Institute) before it became the Jakarta Arts Institute (IKJ) in the 1980s. He was involved as an actor in movies and soap operas, including appearing as a priest in Aria Kusumadewa's, Beth. He was once the music director of the film Kipas Kipas Cari Angin by social-critic comedy director Nyak Abbas Akup.
"This program is intended as a tribute to the dedication, totality and achievements of Saut Sitompul, who is active in building an atmosphere of cross-field creative-productive association at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta," said Helmi Y. Haska, Chief Executive of the MPSI program.
In addition to holding an exhibition of poetry books by Saut Sitompul, the program will be enlivened by poetry readings by poet Amien Kamil, theatrical poems "Sepanjang Kaki Lima" and "Jasad Jeruji Jiwa" by Komunitas Penyair Seksih and Teater Cakra Indonesia. The poem "Sepanjang Kaki Lima" is a portrait of the poet's daily life, exposing the experience of the streets, the intoxicating world of the night.
Ira Paseban will give a testimonial reflecting on Saut Sitompul's warm friendship and creative legacy, as well as his contribution to the advancement of arts and culture. In closing, Lingkaran Band will perform a musicalization of Saut Sitompul's poetry.
Also not to be missed is the literary book cover exhibition titled "100 Literary Books to Read Before You're Buried".