Balikpapan, 18th October 2019 — The Balikpapan Literacy Event (Gebyar Literasi Balikpapan) was held on 16th to 17th October 2019 at the Swiss Bellinn Hotel, Sudirman street, Balikpapan. The ninety-nine participants comprising of lecturers, teachers and students of elementary, junior, and high school college students, and literary activists who were consisting of writers, bloggers, and literacy community members in Balikpapan involved in the event. Literacy Cultures’ Enhancing through Literature and Essays Works Writing was a theme of Gebyar Literasi Balikpapan. With this theme, the event is intended to increase the appreciation on essays, short stories, and poetry writing of the Balikpapan people.
The event was opened by Head of the Department of Education and Culture of Balikpapan, Muhaimin, S.T., M.T. as representing the Mayor of Balikpapan. Abidah El Khalieqy, the main speaker, motivated participants to write actively. She outlined several advantages of being a writer. On the second day, 17th October 2019, the participants divided into two classes, namely the Short Story/Poetry writing class and essay writing class. The advisor in short story/poetry writing class were Shantined and Aminudin Rifai (Amien Wangsitalaja). Shantined explained that good short stories/poetry are short stories/poetry whose contents are not mainstream Meanwhile, Aminudin Rifai explained that we must have a lot of provisions or input when in making literary works, both short stories or poetry. Sunaryo Broto and Chai Siswandi acted as the advisors in essay witing class. Sunaryo Broto shared his experiences to participants on the creative process in preparing an essay. Thus, participants were assisted in compiling an interesting essay that appropriate be published in mass media. According to Chai, writing should flow. Express everything that appear in our mind via written form. Thereafter, we package it in proper and interesting language. In addition, reading more will enrich a writer repertoire in pouring his/her ideas.
Relatively, participants were very enthusiastic on the explanation that presented by the two speakers. It was a new knowledge for participants. Hopefully, the participants can apply and create their thoughts in essay works.
Translated by Muhammad Erwin Darma