thesilkroadtoday
May 8–11, 2025 | West Sumatra – Indonesia
Celebrating cultural openness and global literary dialogue, West Sumatra is set to host the 3rd International Minangkabau Literacy Festival (IMLF 3) from May 8 to 11, 2025. The festival will feature a vibrant gathering of distinguished figures from the worlds of literature, art, and cultural activism.
This international literary and cultural event brings together a diverse group of creators and thinkers from Indonesia and beyond, in a space that honors cultural and linguistic diversity while promoting dialogue and exchange. Notable participants and organizers include: Ketty Talenta, Mira Gusvina, Mona Kutia, Rani Talenta, Zamri H. Jamaluddin, Ody Talenta, Uchup Talenta, and Ferri Anugerah.
The festival will be hosted by a team of renowned MCs and cultural personalities, and the program is expected to include poetry readings, creative workshops, panel discussions, performance art, and thought-provoking seminars addressing themes such as education, identity, and cultural peace.
IMLF Committee Chairperson Sastri Bakri in Jakarta, added:
“the festival will therefore gather authors, thinkers, researchers, artists, activists, and students from across the globe. They will gather to discuss the latest trend and development on literacy, literature, language, and culture for peace. Quoted from the event’s press release, some 30 speakers will also join in the event that is held in Padang, Padang Panjang, and Bukittinggi, West Sumatra. “This festival will have keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking sessions,” said Sastri.
The festival will also have poem recital, art performance, book launching, and many others. “We are expecting more than 200 participants,” said Sastri Bakri.
The International Minangkabau Literacy Festival in an annual event that have been held in 2023 and 2024. The event is organized by Satu Pena Sumatera Barat and Sumbar Talenta Indonesia Foundation (STIF). Satu Pena Sumatera Barat is a branch of Indonesian Writers Association (IPI).
IMLF has grown into a prominent international literary platform that champions the power of literacy in building bridges between people and nations.
