Secretary of Badan Bahasa, as chair of Mastera Indonesia, Hafidz Muksin, stated here on Wednesday that the program involved young writers from Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, and Malaysia.
"This program aims to broaden their insights and technical skills of writing and serves as a platform for sharing experiences and creative ideas," he explained.
Muksin remarked that the writing workshop participants were mentored by senior literati.
Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, as member countries of the Southeast Asian Literature Council, periodically organize creative writing workshops.
The workshop's name was changed to the Mastera Writing Program in 1997.
The writing program includes workshops on writing poems, short stories, essays, drama plays, and novels.
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After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mastera Writing Program returned in 2023 for playwriting or drama scripting.
Muksin said, the Mastera Writing Program offers an opportunity for writers to correct each other's shortcomings and share experiences about creative writing.
"To young literati, let us use this opportunity as best as possible to inspire each other and produce great work," he affirmed.
He expressed hope that the program participants would increase their knowledge and insight and share experiences and creative ideas with other literati.
Meanwhile, Mentor for the Mastera Program from Brunei Darussalam, Awang Mohammed Zefri Ariff bin Mohammed Zain Ariff, expected that the program could help its participants produce great works and eventually revive the world of literature.
Badan Bahasa's coordinator of services, Tri Indira, commented that the participants are a maximum of 35 years of age and have published at least one collection of literature or published at least 10 works in print media.
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Translator: Astrid H, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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