Padang, January 2026 — SatuPena West Sumatra, a chapter of the premier Indonesia Writers Guild, in collaboration with the Sumbar Talenta Indonesia Foundation (STIF), is pleased to announce the upcoming 4th International Minangkabau Literacy Festival (IMLF 2026), to be held from 3 to 7 June 2026 in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, Indonesia.
Building on the remarkable success of its previous editions—welcoming participants from 12 countries in 2023, 17 countries in 2024, and 25 countries in 2025—IMLF 2026 continues its mission of promoting cultural literacy, intellectual dialogue, and international exchange. The festival is expected to host over 200 participants from more than 30 countries, bringing together writers, thinkers, researchers, artists, activists, and students from across the globe.
Theme:
“100 Years of Jam Gadang – From Literacy to Legacy: Building Wealth, Peace, and Sustainability Learning”
Marking the centennial of Jam Gadang, the iconic clock tower of Bukittinggi, this year’s theme reflects on the enduring power of literacy as a foundation for cultural legacy, social harmony, and sustainable development. The festival positions literacy not only as an educational practice, but as a transformative force shaping identity, peace, and prosperity across generations.
Festival Activities
IMLF 2026 will feature a rich and diverse program, including:
- International seminars and keynote speeches
- Parallel panel discussions
- Minangkabau tourism and cultural showcases
- Traditional art and multicultural performances
- World Poetry Parade
- Book Fair and Food Fair
- Workshops, exhibitions, and book launches
Benefits for Participants
Registered participants will enjoy comprehensive festival support, including:
- Accommodation
- Local transportation
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Festival guidebook, souvenirs, and city tour of Bukittinggi
- Opportunities for networking with international participants
- Exposure to Minangkabau literature, culture, and history
Distinguished guests of honor will be invited to launch their books, present poetry readings or artistic performances, and may also be asked to serve as moderators or facilitators during festival sessions.
International Minangkabau Literacy Festival
100 Years of Jam Gadang, Bukittinggi
Launch of 100 Books on 4 June 2026
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Participants must be officially registered as delegates of the International Minangkabau Literacy Festival.
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The book must have been published in 2025–2026 and have official permission from the respective publisher.
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Complete book data must be submitted, including: cover image, title, author, publisher’s name, year of publication, and number of pages. This information should be sent via WhatsApp to: +62 852 6374 9170.
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Deadline for submitting book information: 1 May 2026.
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Two (2) copies of the book to be launched must be handed over to the organizing committee no later than 3 June 2026.
FIB Unand Ready to Support and Collaborate in IMLF-4 2026
The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Andalas University (FIB Unand), has reaffirmed its commitment to the development of literacy and culture by warmly welcoming the invitation to collaborate in the 4th International Minangkabau Literacy Festival (IMLF-4), which will be held in June 2026 in Bukittinggi.
During a meeting with the Chair of IMLF-4, Sastri Bakry, the Dean of FIB Unand, Prof. Dr. Ike Revita, S.S., M.Hum., CRP, stated that FIB Unand possesses strong human resources and is fully prepared to make tangible contributions as speakers, moderators, and facilitators of literacy-related activities.
FIB Unand is ready to move forward together, expand networks, and play a strategic role in strengthening Minangkabau cultural literacy on the global stage.
The organizing committee warmly invites the global literary and cultural community to take part in this landmark celebration of literacy, heritage, and international cooperation in the heart of West Sumatra.
