Previews: Literary Festival PATJARMERAH KETJIL Goes to Pos Bloc This Month

Patjarmerah, the Small Literacy Festival and Traveling Book Market of the Archipelago, is now going to Jakarta, opening up more space for children, youth, and family readers.

'Patjarmerah Kecil' (Little Patjarmerah) is the name of the festival designed to accommodate these reader segments. From June 29 to July 7, 2024, this festival, often dubbed a traveling circus, will hold Patjarmerah Kecil for the first time in Jakarta, precisely at Pos Bloc.

The initiator of Patjarmerah, Windy Ariestanty, revealed the urgency of regeneration behind Patjarmerah Kecil, which she organizes collaboratively with many parties. According to her, the changing roles in the literacy world, particularly in the book sector, must be continually promoted to sustain the ecosystem. Every era has its challenges and requires a relay.

"We are fully aware that it is not only the regeneration of writers that needs to be continually and collectively pursued, but also the regeneration of readers. And all this starts early and within the family space," said Windy.

In addition to presenting thousands of books from Indonesian publishers at the book market, Patjarmerah Kecil also holds various activities expected to be alternative choices for school holiday activities for children, youth, and families. Some of them include inclusive storytelling workshops with Kak Agus and Ayo Dongeng Indonesia, story writing with Reda Gaudiamo, art therapy with RupaSwaraJiwa, poetry with Theoresia Rumthe, language games, and introducing spices to children and teenagers.

There will also be many discussions on parenting and relationships, mental health for the general public and parents, preparation talks for adulthood, and book recommendation exchange sessions between parents. Najelaa Shihab, Anggia Kharisma, Gina S. Noer, Ivan Lanin, Alexander Thian, and Papermoon Puppet Theatre will also be present at Patjarmerah Kecil to fill these sessions.

Additionally, there will also be family stand-up comedy with Sakdiyah Ma’ruf and puppet theater performances with Panggung Gulali. “At Patjarmerah Kecil, TaCita, a community focused on children's stories, will also release the 2024 Children's Literature Award,” said Lia Kusumawardani, one of the driving forces behind Patjarmerah Kecil Jakarta.

"Wings" is the theme of the 2024 Patjarmerah Kecil festival. This theme was chosen as an opening theme marking #Patjarkecil ready to fly with the little friends to explore new lands, dream clouds, and the vast ocean of imagination. Wings also symbolize soaring curiosity, the courage to try, and the persistence to achieve dreams hung as high as the sky. “We want to be one of the feathers in the little friends’ wings, accompanying them to fly higher, and together striving for equal and widespread literacy access,” said Windy.