BBI(ACT) will be holding its next malam sastra from 18:30 AEST (15:30 WIB) on 11 June 2021 to discuss the recently launched novel Yogya Yogya by Herry Gendut Janarto. Herry will be joining us via Zoom from 18:30 (AEST) to share his thoughts on the novel.
An invitation is also extended to non-BBI members to participate via Zoom (see details below). The novel Yogya Yogya can be ordered through Mas Amrih or purchased on line at Jual Buku – Buku Best Seller Karya Herry Gendut Janarto – Gramedia.com
The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival is scheduled to be held from 08 – 17 October 2021 with the theme drawn from a Balinese-Hindu philosophy, Mulat Sarira, interpreted in English as Self-Reflection. 
The festival will feature emerging Indonesian writers and Balinese art. To keep up to date on this Festival go to https://www.ubudwritersfestival.com/
If you have any questions or are interested in participating please contact the addresses in the flyer directly.
Here are some pages about UKBI:
Due to COVID-19 restrictions the planned discussion (December 2020) had to be postponed till 2021.
NEW Date & Time: February 19th 2021, start at 17.45 (dinner) or 18.45 (discussion)
Dewi Anggraeni will be our special book club guest on 19 February to discuss her most recent book Membongkar yang Terkubur (Unearthing Family Roots). Dewi’s book takes you on a journey of discovery about a Chinese Indonesian family’s lost history.
Please book via Trybooking : https://www.trybooking.com/BNLMQ
Booking will be open in early January and if you would like to join us for a catered Indonesian dinner ($15/person) before the discussion please book the dinner (same link) as well as the discussion.
Limited copies, $23/copy
Please follow the directions on the flyer if you are interested
On 12 October, Balai Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian Language Pavilion) of the ACT hosted the first public screening in Canberra of the acclaimed 2018 documentary, ‘Semesta: Islands of Faith’ by Jakarta-based production house, Tanakhir Films. The film, co-produced by Mandy Maharim and Nicholas Saputra, and directed by Chairun Nissa (‘Ilun’), was sub-titled in English for this screening.
Around 170 people from Canberra’s student, academic, Indonesian families and environmentalist communities attended the ‘Indonesian Film Night’, featuring Semesta, at the Kambri cinema at the at the Australian National University. They enjoyed a selection of Indonesian sweet and savoury finger food before the film began. The Indonesian Ambassador to Australia, HE Bapak Siswo Pramono, made a brief introduction.
In welcoming the audience before the film, BBI Chair, Heath McMichael, noted that the public screening of Semesta fulfilled one of the goals of BBI (ACT) to foster cross-cultural understanding between Australia and Indonesia. He conveyed BBI (ACT)’s gratitude to the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra (for providing the delicious pre-film nibbles) and the School of Culture, Humanities and Literature at the ANU, in particular the Convenor of the Indonesia Program, Professor I Wayan Arka and his students. In his comments before the film, Ambassador Pramono said that the study of Indonesian language and culture in Australia was well-advanced through the medium of film. He called on BBI (ACT) to present more Indonesian films to audiences in Canberra and surrounding regions in the future.
After the screening, guests expressed admiration for ‘Semesta: Islands of Faith’, noting in particular its high standard of cinematography and its rich storyline. It is clear the audience took to heart the principal message of the film: that through the lens of faith and culture, communities across Indonesia’s vast archipelago are adapting successfully to climate change and growing environmental challenges.
Here are some images from the Indonesian Film Night:
Please find below information on this year’s Indonesia Update which is convened by our friends in the Indonesia Project at ANU.
STOP THE PRESS! THE ANU ORGANISERS OF THIS EVENT HAVE NOW INFORMED US THIS IS AN INTERNAL EVENT NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. APOLOGIES FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE. Regards BBI (ACT).
On behalf of our friends at the Australian National University Indonesian Language Program, we cordially invite you to attend an event in commemoration of Indonesia’s Independence Day, ‘Indonesian Arts on Independence Day’.
The event is hosted by the Indonesian Language Program, School of Culture, History and Language, ANU, in association with the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra. It will feature a performance by Kultura Collectiva, a group of Indonesian artists who have been showcasing their artistry talents through batik workshops, arts presentations, and performances blending modern and traditional dances over the past few years.
More details of the event can be found below.
Merdeka!
Heath.
Heath McMichael
Chair
Balai Bahasa Indonesia (ACT)
Please see below details of a free Indonesian film screening on Friday, 20 May 2022 at the Coombs Lecture Theatre at the Australian National University. The screening is being organised by staff and students of the ANU Indonesian program. The film is relatively new (produced 2015) and is set during the tumultuous upheaval of the end of New Order Indonesia in 1998. The film does not carry English subtitles.
All members and friends of the BBI (ACT) are very welcome to attend and take part in the fun quiz, Indonesian food delicacies and musical performance that will accompany the screening. As the organiser at the ANU, Pak Subhan, says, “Semakin banyak orang yang hadir, semakin bagus!”
Selamat menonton!
Heath.
Heath McMichael
Chair
Balai Bahasa Indonesia (ACT)
tel +6146141912
BBI (ACT) facilitated an Immersion Day for Indonesian teachers in Canberra and surrounding areas at the Indonesia Language Centre in Culgoa Crescent, O’Malley on 20 November 2021. The program for the day included language and cultural presentations including speaking and conversations practice, listening and translating. Ten primary, secondary and college teachers took part. Refreshments and a beautiful lunch were provided by the Indonesian Embassy. Ida Nurhayati devised the program and organised BBI facilitators: Amrih Widodo, Avi Mahaningtyas, Catharina Williams and Daisy Campbell. Teachers responded with much energy and enthusiasm and their feedback after the event indicated the event was a definite success. BBI ACT is planning follow-up Immersion Days for Indonesian teachers in 2022. Thanks to the Indonesian Embassy for lending their Pusat Bahasa for the occasion.
Balai Bahasa Indonesia (ACT) 
