Acak Aderaf

If we truly pay attention, literature has evolved tremendously compared to many other fields. Topics once considered taboo are now openly discussed and accepted within society. But behind that progress lies an important truth: literary works are not created carelessly. A meaningful work is born through a long process — thinking, feeling, observing, questioning, and rewriting.

As time passes, more literary communities continue to emerge, introducing literature to wider audiences. Technology also plays a huge role in this development. Things that once felt impossible are now ordinary. Human imagination, which once dreamed about flying among the clouds, eventually created airplanes. In the same way, literature has expanded rapidly through cyberspace. Social media, digital platforms, and online communities have made literary works easier to publish, share, and discuss.

As a result, literature has become increasingly familiar in everyday life. It no longer belongs exclusively to academics or professional writers. Today, literature exists among all levels of society.

I still remember something mentioned in that same seminar. Based on research presented by Yulianeta, a literature lecturer from UPI, more than 200 Indonesian films were adapted from literary works such as poems, short stories, and novels. This shows how literature continues to enrich other creative industries, especially in Indonesia.

And honestly, it no longer feels surprising to find literary works written by people from completely different professions — police officers, traders, doctors, teachers, or office workers. Literature belongs to everyone because every human being has experiences, emotions, and stories to tell.

In many ways, literary works also capture social realities. They record human behavior, conflicts, inequalities, hopes, and cultural changes happening within society. That is why literature is often called a reflection of society itself.

However, despite all its development, I still feel there are several important issues within Indonesian literature that deserve more attention. They may seem small, but their impact is actually significant.

First, many “wild writings” or underground works from earlier poets are rarely introduced to newer generations, even though their writings once played major roles in resisting colonialism and shaping public awareness. We often forget that literature was once a weapon.

Second, access to quality literary works still feels limited. Good books are not always easy to find in Indonesian bookstores. The reality is simple: many bookstores prioritize market demand over literary quality. Books that sell quickly are favored, while more meaningful works are often pushed aside.

Third, literature is sometimes treated merely as a tool for self-image. Many people consume literary works simply to avoid appearing outdated. They read popular books or watch film adaptations only because everyone else is talking about them. Once the trend disappears, the interest disappears too. This indirectly shows that literature is still not considered a genuine necessity.

Fourth, compared to music or sports, literature is often viewed as something that brings little economic value. Because of that perception, people working in literary fields frequently receive less appreciation and support.

And lastly — perhaps the most fundamental issue — how much do we actually read?

How many books do we finish in a week? In a month?

The reading interest among many students is still relatively low. And perhaps Budi Darma, a literature professor from UNESA, was right when he said:

“Jika minat baca kurang, logikanya kemampuan menulisnya juga kurang.”

“If reading interest is low, then logically, writing ability will also be low.”

Because writing and reading are deeply connected. Good writing is rarely born without good reading habits behind it.

In the end, literature and language are more than just forms of entertainment or academic subjects. They are part of a nation’s identity. When language and literature slowly disappear, a part of the nation itself fades with them.

That is why many senior Indonesian writers continue hoping that both society and the government will seriously support the growth of literature — by creating spaces, opportunities, and facilities not only for established writers, but also for younger generations whose imaginations still have no limits.***