"We want to show the visitors of Indonesia Pavilion, especially foreign delegates, that Indonesia`s history cannot be separated from the role of Balai Pustaka. Balai Pustaka has continued to build the nation`s character since 1917," Corporate Secretary of Balai Pustaka Subiyanto told Antara on Saturday.
Visitors of Indonesia Pavilion would be welcomed by the former and incumbent presidents` posters with each of their words of wisdom.
1. Soekarno (1945-1966)
"Dream it as high as the sky. If you fall, you will fall among the stars."
2. Soeharto (1966-1998)
"Our greatest glory is not to not falling down, but how we keep rising up every time we fall down."
3. BJ Habibie (1998-1999)
"Failure will only happen if we give it up."
4. KH Abdurrahman Wahid (1999-2001)
"If we want to change, do not submit to reality. What matters the most is not to lose faith on our thought path."
5. Megawati Soekarnoputri (2001-2004)
"Keep working wholeheartedly. Never do anything emotional".
6. Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono (2004-2014)
"There will be no same day in life. Today is different from yesterday. Let us make today better."
7. Joko Widodo (2014-present)
"Life is a challenge. Do not listen to people who only talk. The most important thing is to keep on working, and working, and working."
The Balai Pustaka corner has become one favorite spot for visitors who are delegates of the IMF-WB annual meetings. Some of them took picture of the posters.
Balai Pustaka has the mission to show the world that Indonesia has smart leaders with their words of wisdom.
"We also display Indonesia`s classical books such as Atheis written by Achdiat K Mihardja, Habis Gelap terbitlah Terang by RA Kartini and translated by Armijn Pane, and Layar Terkembang by St Takdir Alisjahbana," Subiyanto said.
The books were sold at a price of Rp250,000 per piece.
Reporting by Ida Nurcahyani
Editing by Sri Hariyati
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Otniel Tamindael
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
