Jakarta Library Holds Nusantara Manuscript Seminary

Jakarta Library together with H.B. Jassin Literary Document Center cooperated with Malaysian Institute of Translation and Books, Wednesday (9/25), held International Nusantara Manuscript Seminary. The program was participated by 120 participants.

to ensure the heritage of Nusantara Manuscript is maintained well

Jakarta Archive and Library Agency Head, Firmansyah, said this seminary not only introduces the Nusantara Manuscript but also as a forum for exchanging views and studying it deeply.

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"This activity is also our effort to ensure the heritage of Nusantara Manuscript is maintained well," he said, Thursday (9/26).

Firman added that Nusantara Manuscripts are intellectual and cultural heritages with high historical and academic value. Firman hopes this seminary can enrich the understanding of Nusantara manuscripts from various perspective.

The seminary presented speakers from practitioners and academics such as Muhammad Haji Salleh (Malaysian Writer), Andi Sukri Syamsuri (Vice Chancellor II, Muhammadiyah University of Makassar), Aditia Gunawan, (Head of the Nusantara Manuscript Management Working Group, National Library of the Republic of Indonesia) and Noor Amin Ahmad (Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Malaysian Translation and Book Institute) and Munawar Holil (General Chair of the Nusantara Manuscript Society).

Then also Datuk Awang Azman Awang Pawi (Director of the Center for the Study of Malay Excellence, Academy of Malay Studies, University of Malaya), Andi Ima Kesuma (Professor of Cultural History and Tourism, Makassar State University), Elis Suryani Nani Sumarlina (University Padjajaran Bandung Academy) and Undang Ahmad Darsa (Academician of Padjajaran University of Bandung).

Firman explained the activity was divided into several parts. First part, discussion about challenges in preserving ancient manuscript that are in fragile condition. Preservation is carried out physically and through digitalization as a long-term solution.

Second part was discussing one example of a Nusantara manuscripts that bridges kinship relation between countries in Southeast Asia, namely the Tuhfat al-Nafis manuscript. Then a session to discuss several Sundanese manuscripts with an encyclopedic nuance.