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Primaduta Award for Lebanese Businessman (0)
The Indonesian Embassy in Beirut has acknowledged its continued support for trade cooperation improvement between Indonesia and Lebanon. Indonesian Ambassador to Lebanon Hajriyanto Y Thohari gave the Primaduta Award to Lebanese businessman and importer, George R Fattouh. The award was given for his service in helping market Indonesian products in Paris from the Middle East. The award was given at a ceremony at the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut, Thursday (11/1) Fatough, is the owner of George R. Fattouh S.A.L, a business that has been importing Indonesian products since the 1980s. It has a range of products, including: palm oil and its derivatives, oil and fats (including cocoa butter substitute, fat spread, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, and lauric confectionery fats), cardboard, stationary, and school equipment. Some Indonesian products are now even available at famous retail networks, such as Spinney’s and Carrefour. In 2022, the value imported by George R. Fattough S.A.L of Indonesian products, was 981.3 million USD. This was a 149.5 million USD increase when compared to 2021. Fattouh said Indonesian products are known for their quality and are in high demand in Lebanese markets. However, he said, the challenge now is increasing freight costs due to security challenges in the region.
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Garulina (0)
Listeners, a number of delicious dishes were served to the guests of Dhaup Ageng Pura Pakualaman Yogyakarta, at the wedding reception of the youngest son of K.G.P.A.A. Paku Alam X, namely B.P.H. Kusumo Kuntonugroho with Laily Annisa Kusumastuti which was held on January 10, 2024.Head of the Customs and Accommodation Division, Dhaup Ageng Pura Pakualaman, KRT Radyo Wisroyo said that the menu served to guests was quite varied. These menus are typical menus prepared by Pakualaman Pura, Indonesian menus and western food menus were also available. All invited guests including VIP and VVIP guests got the same menu. The first menu served to welcome guests, namely two types of welcome drink, namely lime lemongrass and ginger drink with lime. The welcome drink was given when guests sat down and watched the Bedhaya Sidamukti and Bedhaya Kakung Indrawidagda dance performances. Next, they gotsnacks for appetizer such as croquettes and other light snacks. There is a snack that is considered quite special and rare called Garulina. Garulina was the opening snack at the Pahargyan Dhaup Ageng Pakualaman lunch on the first day. Garulina has been around since the era before Indonesian independence. Garulina is actually not a typical Central Javanese food. It looks like the Lapis Legit layered cake, but there is something different, because there is a special layer like vla which is made from fresh milk, eggs and sugar. To get this sweet snack, Pakulaman Temple has to place a special order from the third generation of makers who have been pioneering since the 1950s. In Jogja, Garulina is very difficult to find and is considered rare because it is not sold every day.
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August
As many as 300 foreign tourists from Sarawak, Malaysia attended Wonderful Indonesia Festival in Entikong (18/8). The participants of the festival departed along with Indonesian Consulate General staff to Kuching led by Consul General, Yonny Tri Prayitno. The participants consisted of 186 big motorcycles, 6 representatives of media, 6 representatives of travel agent and some four-wheel vehicles which travel through Indonesia - Malaysia border line, namely Tebedu, Sarawak, Malaysia and to Entikong, Indonesia. Wonderful Indonesia Festival was officially opened by vice regent of Sanggau, Yohanes Ontot accompanied by Indonesian Consul General to Kuching, Yonny Tri Prayitno along with his entourage. Some of the events which were attracted the attention of the participants, were competitions in welcoming the 73rd independence of Indonesia and also performances of national and local artists. In addition to participating in the event, the participants also could buy various Indonesian products at the expo which was held by the committee.
After passing a very strict selection by special team which was consisted of representative of Indonesian people organization along with Indonesian Embassy to Seoul, two CEOs of South Korean companies which hires Indonesian migrant workers awarded Ambassador Award 2018 on Sunday (26/8). They were Mr. Sohn Jong-man, CEO of Buheung System, and Mr. Choi Min-seok, CEO of DK&D Co. The two CEOs were evaluated successful in protecting the Indonesian migrant workers who work at their companies and give their rights, such as salary in proper time, provide accommodation and decent consumption and also vacation/permission. Indonesian ambassador to South Korea, Umar Hadi said the Indonesian government appreciated Mr. Sohn Jong-man and Mr. Choi Min-seok who hire Indonesian workers and manage them well. The ambassador hoped that the awards can motivate other companies to do similar things to the Indonesian migrant workers in South Korea who reach more than 32 thousand people.
Indonesian Consul General toToronto, Leonard F Hutabarat, conducted a meeting with Bas and Louise Opdenkelder, on Thursday (23/8). Bas and Louise Opdenkelder are Canadian citizens of Dutch descent who love Indonesia and show their supports and donation for five-year to Rumah Singgah or shelter. Rumah Singgah is a house which accommodates cancer sufferers from poor communities that get treatment in Denpasar, Bali. Indonesian Consulate General to Toronto conveyed appreciation and gratitute to Bas and Lousie Opdenkelder who have showed their devotion to Indonesia with attention and real action for cancer sufferers in Indonesia. It is also in along with the efforts of Indonesian representatives in Toronto whose duty and function are to contribute for the increasing of Indonesian people’s and national welfare. Related to the efforts, Indonesian Consulate General toToronto also introduced Komodo in Labuan Bajo and other tourism destinations, besides Bali and Yogyakarta. Bas Opdenkelder welcomed the efforts of the Indonesian consulate general and will help introducing the consulate general through their network, namely Dutch Canadian to find market for the Indonesian products.
August
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives -DPR, Agus Hermanto conducted visit to South Korea and he was directly received by his Korean counterpart, Joo Seung Yong. The two countries agreed to improve relations in economy, transportation, industry and defense in the agreement of special strategic partnership through the meeting of President Joko Widodo and Korean President Moon Jae-in in Bogor, West Java in November 2017. Agus Hermanto added that related to economic and trade relations of the two countries, President Joko Widodo and President Moon Jae-in promised to have bilateral trade volume worth $30 billion dollars in 2022. South Korea is the third biggest foreign investor in Indonesia. The value of the second trade balance in 2017 was around $16 million dollars and comparing previous year, it increased around 10 percent in the first quarter in 2018.
Rowing Venue at Jakabaring Sport City (JSC) in Palembang, South Sumatra has get recognition which is the best in Asia according to Olympic Council of Asia -OCA. The venue is recognized as the largest and the best rowing venue in the world. The place is used for rowing competition of Asian Games 2018. Senior Vice President of Asian Rowing, E E Nicholas praised the Indonesian government, especially Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing because the Indonesian government has built good, beautiful, and sophisticated rowing venue with complete facilities. Meanwhile, President of the World Rowing Federation -FISA, Roland Jean Cristhope said that the Indonesian government has succeeded and provided world class of rowing facility. Through the press release on Friday (24/8), he also said that the venue is the best one and has international standard. Rowing venue has line with 200 meters wide and 2,200 meters long and 5 meters deep. The venue has also been completed with tribune with the capacity of 2,144 chairs, start-finish tower and arrangement of the area around the venue.
Yasu Project, a company of Mobile Mosque maker, plans to establish cooperation with the Indonesian government to develop innovation for worship facility that can move around. CEO of Yasu Project, Yasuhura Inoue said that his side has conducted approach with Ministry of Industry to develop the future investment by making mobile mosque in Indonesia so that later, it can be exported to various countries. But, to develop the technology, it’s better for Indonesian experts to carry out training first to Japan for technology transfer. Afterwards, this can be developed and assembled in Indonesia. The mobile mosque is developed for the first time to welcome Olympiad 2020 in Japan for athletes and Muslims who want to pray.
August
Thirty-eight groups participated in enlivening the Kendal Cultural Carnival in the nuances of Independence Day as well as commemorating the 413th Kendal Regency Anniversary on last Saturday (25/8). There were several indigenous Kendal Cultural parades which were enlivened by 5 other regions: Pemalang, Pekalongan, Batang, Semarang City, and Magelang. Regent of Kendal, Mirna Annisa who wore jeweled studded clothes and rode on the carriage, was escorted by 20 village heads who were riding on horses, greeting the Boja people from the start line to the Honor Stage. Regent Mirna Annisa said that the model of clothes she wore also described Kendal's slogan as a Pantura Gem. Therefore, a lot of jewelry on the clothes is the result of a pure design from Kendal's Youth. She hoped that the 413th Anniversary of Kendal Cultural Carnival can make Kendal a Pantura Gem.
Thousands of residents of Silih Asih Village, Pabedilan Sub-district, Cirebon Regency, West Java, who crowded the soccer field in their area, came to watch theatrical folk art performances. The Cirebon arts and culture show was held by Dave AF Laksono, a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission I –DPR in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication and Informatics –Kominfo in a bid to maintain the unity and integrity of Indonesia and preserve cultural arts. Dave AF Laksono to RRI Cirebon on Saturday (25/8) said that by presenting the Cirebon original cultural arts performance is an effort to preserve art, healthy entertainment without negative content, and can strengthen unity and call for peace. Meanwhile, the Expert Staff for the Social, Economic and Cultural Affairs of the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, Lala M Kolopaking explained that his Ministry and the House of Representatives Commission I are trying to bring folk art closer to various jurors of Indonesia. One of them is in Cirebon, and with the help of technology approaches to unite the nation and care for diversity.
Lampung Krakatau Festival –LKF is the property of all Lampung residents and is a valuable asset for tourism in Indonesia. This was stated by Governor of Lampung, Muhammad Ridho Ficardo on the Night of the Glory Enchantment Sai Bumi Ruwa Jurai in the 28th Lampung Krakatau Festival –LKF 2018 at Saburai Field, Enggal Bandar Lampung on Saturday night (25/8). Ridho said that it was not an easy thing to maintain the LKF organization that has been aged for 28 years. He also appreciated all relevant stakeholders, as well as the District / City Government who gave so much support in the LKF 2018 implementation. He mentioned that the District / City Government continues to provide active support by increasingly inviting the private sectors to play an active role in tourism activities, and to push investment, especially in the tourism sector. At the event, Governor Ridho symbolically distributed prizes to the winners who had participated in various competitions of the 28th LKF 2018.
August
Indonesia will host the 2018 Startup Nation Summit (SNS). It will take place in Surabaya, East Java on November 16 and 17. Until now, young entrepreneurs in the digital field from 170 countries have stated their readiness to join the event. The criteria of a startup business is a company working in the digital fieldthat has run under 5 years. Mayor of Surabaya Tri Rismaharini at a press conference in Surabaya Thursday, August 23, 2018 said, she wants Surabaya to start and enter a new era. The 2018 Startup Nation Summit entitled Digital Creative Industry Collaboration is the seventh of its kind. In 2017, this international event was held in Tallinn City, Estonia. According to Risma, the 2018 Startup Nations Summit will collaborate with four other activities, namely Inno Creativitation on November 14-15, Bekraf (Creative Economy Agency) 2018 Festival on November 14-17, Kamadjaja Logistics Hackathon Day on November 10-11 and Mlaku-Mlaku Nang Tunjungan on November 18th. Risma said, in these activities she is deliberately involving stakeholders in education such as chancellors, teachers, and academics to jointly arouse the spirit of young Surabaya entrepreneurs. According to her, being an entrepreneur is the right choice because the challenge of young people in 2040 is how to create a job, not looking for a job. That is why she has invited Bekraf(Creative Economy Agency) and universities. The 2018 Start Nations Summit will become a new era for Surabaya to begin a startup business world, and to realize the city of Surabaya as the first creative city in Indonesia, advance the Surabaya startup world, and bring the city of Surabaya to be equal to major cities in the world in the field of Startup. President of the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Jonathan Ortmans said that the SNS would not only become a forum to tell entrepreneurial success stories. It will also discuss the obstacles experienced by each Startup. There is even a special session discussing a real ecosystem that occurs in Surabaya. How the long process has eventually given birth to a sustainable ecosystem in Surabaya. According to Jonathan Ortmans, the SNS will bring the best innovations, and public policies that will be presented in Surabaya. There will be also a collection of reports made by the World Bank to be a joint collaboration in the event. Meanwhile, Deputy Head of Indonesia's Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) Ricky Joseph Pesik added that the Bekraf Festival 2018 would be synergized with the Startup Nations Summit (SNS). On that occasion, the agency will present creative economic players in Indonesia, whose products are considered to be able to compete in the wider world of creative industries.
August
In Indonesia, precisely on the island of Java, there are many adrenaline-driven tours such as tubing, rafting and body rafting. In Pekalongan, for example, there is a tourist spot called 'Black Canyon' or 'Kedung Sipingit'. It is one of the natural attractions in Kayu Puring Village, which offers adrenaline- pumping tours along a fairly swift river flow with clear blue-water, surrounded by fascinating large black cliffs.In Black Canyon visitors can do many activities such as fishing, river tubing, trekking to body rafting. By paying Rp. 100,000 you can enjoy many facilities, such as welcome drinks, lunch, safety gears like helmets and life jackets, instructors or guides, certificates and vehicles to the start point. The tourist spot is still free but the route is quite difficult, so a guide is very necessary for the safety of visitors and groups.The water flow in Kedung Sipingit comes from Welo river which flow offers a level 3 current sensation that is suitable for beginners and professionals alike.One Tubing trip is limited between 5 to 20 people. All that is for the convenience and safety of tourists. For 4 hours visitors will be pampered with natural scenery that is very beautiful with a vast expanse of forest and fresh air that feels pretty cool. The sensation of the river tubing on the Welo River is quite adrenaline pumping and make your travel excitement more complete.This place is perfect for visitors who like challenges and to test adrenaline. But for those who are not so adventurous it is recommended not of course. You’d better stay at the side, enjoy the scenery and fresh air. From the center of Pekalongan towards the Black Canyon or Kedung Sipingit is about 34 Km. It takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by car. After arriving in front of a gate signed “Welcome to Petungkriyo Ecotourism”, you just go straight to Kayu Puring village with a distance of 5 Km to arrive at the base camp of Welo river tubing Kedung Sipingit. This place is still in wilderness and beautiful, with heavy river currents and steep cliffs. So for the sake of mutual convenience visitor must maintain and preserve nature by maintaining cleanliness and not littering.
August
The Indonesian Air Force PC-2 Radio Museum will be developed
Written by MaryatiThe Indonesian Air Force PC-2 Radio Station or known as the AURI PC-2 Radio Station is located in Playen Sub-district, Gunung Kidul Regency. The station plays an important role in maintaining the independence of Indonesia during the Second Dutch Military Aggression in Yogyakarta. Through the radio, the news about the General Offensive of March the 1st, 1949, an event when the Indonesian Armed Forces and fighters attacked the Dutch soldiers, was broadcasted. The broadcast was carried out at 2 O’clock A.M. on March the 2nd 1949 to the entire Indonesian Air Force radio networks. Through the “NBM” Tangse Radio, the broadcast about the General Offensive of March the 1st 1949 was delivered to the “SMN” radio station in Rangoon. Then, it was continued to New Delhi and representatives of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington DC, the United States of America. The Indonesian representatives at the United Nations before the session of the United Nations Security Council on March the 7th 1949 explained about the broadcast. Thus, it made the international world aware of the emergency of the government of the Republic of Indonesia.The Indonesian Air Force PC-2 Radio or the AURI PC-2 Radio is currently functioned as a monument or museum. The government of Gunungkidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta is committed to developing the museum as the center of educational and historical tourism. Head of the Central Indonesian Air Force Museum “Dirgantara Mandala”, Colonel Dede Nasrudin to Radio Republic Indonesia in Yogyakarta said that the museum will be featured with various facilities. Therefore, it can be empowered as an educational and historical tourism destination. In the future, there is also a possibility to establish broadcasting academy in the area of the museum. The development of the museum will start in 2019. Colonel Dede Nasrudin also explained that the broadcasting mission involve 26 people; some of them are ex-announcers of Radio Republic Indonesia (RRI). Director of RRI in Yogyakarta said that there must be clear narration in connection with RRI’s major role in the history of maintaining the independence of Indonesian nation. Therefore, the struggle of maintaining the independence of Indonesia can always be remembered and taken as a good example for other announcers of RRI.
August
This is RRI World Service -Voice of Indonesia with Diplomatic Corner, a segment which presents information about activities and progress of Indonesia’s diplomacy in the international world.
The first information comes from Lima, Peru. The Indonesian Embassy in Lima held the Socialization of the 2019 Simultaneous Elections activity at the building of the Indonesian Embassy in Lima on last Saturday (11th of August 2018). Indonesian Ambassador to Peru, Marina Estella Anwar Bey on her remark said that it’s important for Indonesian citizens’ participation in the accredited country to cast their voting rights and contribute to the success of Indonesia’s democratic festivity to be held on April, 13th 2019. Ambassador Marina Estella also hoped that the socialization of the general elections can encourage Indonesian citizens to participate in the general elections and guide its process in accordance with the principles of the General Elections namely: Direct, General, Free and Secret . The socialization event attended by approximately 40 Indonesian citizens was also followed by several other activities such as the dissemination of Indonesian citizens’ care, the importance of self-report, and the discussion of safe travel application by the Protocol Function of Counselor of the Indonesian Embassy in Lima. The Indonesian citizens who work as ship crew utilized the occasion to fill in the self-report form and gathered with Indonesian Ambassador, members of the Indonesian Embassy in Lima, and other Indonesian citizens during the lunch break session.
The second information is from Sofia. Indonesian Ambassador to Bulgaria in Sofia, Sri Astari Rasjid attended the opening of the SATUC World Cup Football Championship held on last Sunday (August the 12th 2018) at the Boyana National Football Base, Sofia, Bulgaria. The SATUC World Cup is an annual international football match for child refugees, orphans, and disadvantaged children organized by SATUC, an international non-profit organization initiated by the Princess of Qatar, Shaika Al-Thani. In this year’s championship, SATUC collaborated with the Bulgarian Football Union. The arrival of Indonesian Ambassador was aimed at supporting Indonesian team represented by the Rumah Cemara Community or “The Spruce Tree House Community” during their participation in Bulgaria. The Indonesian Embassy team in Sofia also gave support to the Indonesian representative for the next match. At the SATUC event, Indonesia competed with representatives from other countries such as Bulgaria, Egypt, Bosnia Herzegovina, Iraq, Yemen, Cambodia, Cameron, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Morocco, Mexico, Nigeria, Palestine, Peru, and Syria, The Indonesian team who participated at the event consisted of 8 children aged 15 years old from the Rumah Cemara Community. The Rumah Cemara Community also actively participates in other international football competitions, such as the Homeless World Cup and has made football a way to improve the quality of life of street children, drug addicts, disadvantaged children, and children who suffer from AIDS.
We end our segment, Diplomatic Corner, with the information from Frankfurt.
In commemoration of the 73rd Independence Day of Indonesia and the form of Indonesian tourism promotion in Germany, the Indonesian Consulate General in Frankfurt made an advertisement broadcast with the theme “Wonderful Indonesia” at bus public transportation in several cities such as Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Munich. The city bus with Wonderful Indonesia’s promotion will pass by the three cities. This promotion is aimed at promoting Indonesian tourism in South Germany which is the source of the biggest tourists from Germany. The advertisement broadcast in Frankfurt in August was carried out right during the Museumuferfest event which is one of the greatest arts and cultural festivals in Europe and this festival has successfully attracted 1 million tourists from various regions in Germany and even the European countries. Meanwhile, the Wonderful Indonesia’sadvertisement broadcast in Munich will be carried out in September 2018 at one of the festivals in Munich so-called the Oktoberfest Festival. The Oktoberfest Festival is the largest festival of beer and wine in the world and has contributed 6 million visitors from across the globe each year. The targeted tourism destinations of this promotion include the Tanjung Kelayang Beach site, Orang Utan in Tanjung Puting, and the Rice Fields in Bali. This tourism promotion is aimed at encouraging more tourists from Germany to visit Indonesia, particularly with the facility of visa-free policy which has been applied for German tourists.
August
Welcome back to Book and Film Review, where we will review Indonesian books and movies. In today's edition, we will review a novel entitled "Claires" written by Valerie Patkar. Valerie Patkar herself, besides being a writer, is a mining engineer. Claires is her first work which was released in March 2018. Before published as a book, Claires had been published online in 2015. For Valerie, her writing inspirations are simple things: strangers on the street, dining table, empty cups, and many others. The other works of Valerie can be found online, namely Nonversation, Loversation, and Deverra which soon to be published. The book is about Claire Paveitria and her love story with Kai Deverra and Ares Nota. Claire Paveitria is an England-Bali descent student who possessess beautiful appearance and a boyfriend named Kai Deverra - an aspiring formula one racer in Silverstone, England. Claire and Kai are perfect pair: both having good appearance; loving, supporting, trusting, and understanding each other. During 4 years of relationship, they never fight. Their relationship is perfect from the outside, but apparently empty inside. Claire and Kai never have revealed what they feel. The long distance relationship began without problem. The meeting of Claire and Ares changes everything. Ares Nota, son of a billionare - Serge Nota, is a 24 year old childish guy who never knows the meaning of love. For him, women are just toys, disposable when he is bored. Their coincidental meeting changes both's lives. Ares who never believes in love, finds comfort in Claire. While Claire learns with Ares that loving must be happy. From Claire, Ares learns to grow up and to respect love. The closeness of Claire and Ares, as well as Kai still with Claire, force her to decide between Kai - the home she can returnt to which promises perfection; or Ares - the third person who suddenly come, but brings her true happiness. Valerie Patkar presents every character with strong traits. Claire who is matured, loves order, and hates to do childish things; Kai is ambitious, matured, but boring; and Ares is selfish, unpredictable, and childish; they were depicted along with the plot. Every description of every events and or characters' behavior are clear, making it easy for the reader to imagine it. The beauty of Bali Island as the setting incrases the romance between Claire, Ares, and Kai. Although the story starts boring and predictable, the author put a surprise in the middle, making the readers curious about the end of Claire's story. The 377-page novel can play readers' emotion. The diction can truly tell the love between Claire and Ares, and make the readers' cry when Claire, Kai, and Ares are at their lowest point. The message from Valerie Patkar is also conveyed well. All components of the novel complement each other, making it an interesting and entertaining to read.
"Love those who makes you happy, not those who makes you perfect. Since perfection does not guarantee your happiness. But, happiness can always make your life perfect."
It was a quote from a dialog between Claire and her father, telling that perfection cannot always present happiness. What is perfection, if there is something to sacrifice or to ignore? Sound selfish, but we can learn from this book that being selfish is not always bad. Sometimes we need to be selfish to be happy. Like two opposing magnetic pole, the book tells that two opposites can create something beautiful. Claires helps the reader to know love from different perspectives and forms. The appeal of Valerie Patkar's work is the qutoes, about loves, family, and many others. That was our brief review of a novel entitled "Claires" by Valerie Patkar.
August
Welcome back to Book and Film Review, where we will review Indonesian books and movies. In today's edition, we will review a novel entitled "Claires" written by Valerie Patkar. Valerie Patkar herself, besides being a writer, is a mining engineer. Claires is her first work which was released in March 2018. Before published as a book, Claires had been published online in 2015. For Valerie, her writing inspirations are simple things: strangers on the street, dining table, empty cups, and many others. The other works of Valerie can be found online, namely Nonversation, Loversation, and Deverra which soon to be published. The book is about Claire Paveitria and her love story with Kai Deverra and Ares Nota. Claire Paveitria is an England-Bali descent student who possessess beautiful appearance and a boyfriend named Kai Deverra - an aspiring formula one racer in Silverstone, England. Claire and Kai are perfect pair: both having good appearance; loving, supporting, trusting, and understanding each other. During 4 years of relationship, they never fight. Their relationship is perfect from the outside, but apparently empty inside. Claire and Kai never have revealed what they feel. The long distance relationship began without problem. The meeting of Claire and Ares changes everything. Ares Nota, son of a billionare - Serge Nota, is a 24 year old childish guy who never knows the meaning of love. For him, women are just toys, disposable when he is bored. Their coincidental meeting changes both's lives. Ares who never believes in love, finds comfort in Claire. While Claire learns with Ares that loving must be happy. From Claire, Ares learns to grow up and to respect love. The closeness of Claire and Ares, as well as Kai still with Claire, force her to decide between Kai - the home she can returnt to which promises perfection; or Ares - the third person who suddenly come, but brings her true happiness. Valerie Patkar presents every character with strong traits. Claire who is matured, loves order, and hates to do childish things; Kai is ambitious, matured, but boring; and Ares is selfish, unpredictable, and childish; they were depicted along with the plot. Every description of every events and or characters' behavior are clear, making it easy for the reader to imagine it. The beauty of Bali Island as the setting incrases the romance between Claire, Ares, and Kai. Although the story starts boring and predictable, the author put a surprise in the middle, making the readers curious about the end of Claire's story. The 377-page novel can play readers' emotion. The diction can truly tell the love between Claire and Ares, and make the readers' cry when Claire, Kai, and Ares are at their lowest point. The message from Valerie Patkar is also conveyed well. All components of the novel complement each other, making it an interesting and entertaining to read.
"Love those who makes you happy, not those who makes you perfect. Since perfection does not guarantee your happiness. But, happiness can always make your life perfect."
It was a quote from a dialog between Claire and her father, telling that perfection cannot always present happiness. What is perfection, if there is something to sacrifice or to ignore? Sound selfish, but we can learn from this book that being selfish is not always bad. Sometimes we need to be selfish to be happy. Like two opposing magnetic pole, the book tells that two opposites can create something beautiful. Claires helps the reader to know love from different perspectives and forms. The appeal of Valerie Patkar's work is the qutoes, about loves, family, and many others. That was our brief review of a novel entitled "Claires" by Valerie Patkar.
August
Welcome back to Book & Film Review where we will review Indonesian books and films. In today's edition, we will review a novel entitled "Dan Hujan Pun Berhenti" or "And the Rain Stops" by Farida Susanty. This novel was the first work of Farida Susanty, a woman who was born in Bandung, June 18 1990. Dan Hujan Pun Berhenti was written when she was in high school and was published in 2007. Until now, that title kept being reprinted. This novel made Farida won the Khatulistiwa Literary Award for Talented Young Writer category in 2007. This novel is about Leostrada Andhika Servorova Ekihara Miyazao or Eko, an Indo-Japan descent, naughty student of 103 or Wahutri High School, who was often summoned by counselor. With four of his friends: Luthfi, Adi, Kevin, and David, they call themselves Bunch of Bastards and often make troubles. However, behind it all, Leo is just a fragile young man. Leo leaves his home, since he cannot bear his family's condition. He feels empty, lonely, traumatic, and distrusts. His life is pitch black. And Leo hates rain, since under it, the world took Iris forever - the only friend Leo had, to whom he trusted all his feelings.Amidst his sorrow, he met Spiza - Spizaeuts Caerina. Both met in an "unusual" way. As if bewitched, Leo finds his Iris in Spiza. Thoughts about Iris guides Leo to keep getting closer to Spiza. Until the two feel comfortable, a bitter reality hits Leo. He must choose: grows up and makes peace with his past, or keeps being haunted by trauma which keeps killing him. Farida created the characters in her novel carefully. Quirky names and strong characterization are presented through every narration and dialogs. They incluude the depressed, deeply wounded Leo who longs for attention and affection; then, Spiza who is innocent, guilt-driven, and fearing betrayal; both selfish parents of Leo; as well as the funny and loyal friends of Leo. With setting in Bandung city, all teenagers' life are well-depicted by Farida. However, long dialogs and many footnones in the middle of the story makes the 322-page novel a little bit uncomfortable to read. Long dialogs in every chapter may exhaust the reader. Very unfortunate if this affects readers' opinion about the book, more overly if they do not finish it. Some conflicts in the novel are also too much for highschoolers, but isn't everything possible in fiction?. The diction used in the novel is still very typical of teenagers, easily understood, and not using too many foreign terms. Up and own plot as well as surprises keep the reades curious. Many messages on family, friendship, and love, and all are well-packaged by Farida.The theme is also very fresh and different from many other teenage novels. Therefore, the original and fresh idea is able to make Farida worthy for Khatulistiwa Literary Award.
"Hey! Why do you hang that?"
“Hei! Kenapa menggantungkan itu?"
"So that the rain won't fall."
"Biar hujan nggak turun."
"So what if it falls?"
"Memangnya kenapa kalau turun?"
"I'll die before I suicide."
"Aku akan keburu mati sebelum aku bunuh diri."
"You want to commit suicide?"
"Kamu mau bunuh diri?"
"Yes, only when it's not raining."
"Ya, asal nggak hujan."
That was a dialog between Leo and Spiza in their first meeting.Suicide and depression tie the two characters. Some characters of this novel are depicted as easily play with death. What intertesting is, such issues are quite common among teenagers yet often ignored. By bringing out suicide and depression in the novel, this hopefully can make people more aware about teenagers' mental health. The novel which have three different covers contains deep moral values. Besides reminding us to care with depression and suicide among teenagers, this book is full of messages. One of them is to make peace with the past; however dark it was, if we want to forgive and let it go, our life will be peaceful. Also, we should always accept God's fate, because everything destined by the God have some values in it. that was our brief review of Dan Hujan Pun Berhenti or And the Rain Stops by Farida Susanty.