TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Jakarta International Literary Festival (JILF) returned this year with the theme “Homeland in Our Bodies,” an exploration of how literature connects with politics, identity, and social movements.
The 2025 edition officially opened on Thursday, November 13, at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), where the festival will run until Sunday, November 16.
More Than a Literary Festival
Jakarta Vice Governor Rano Karno described JILF 2025 not merely as a literary gathering but as a celebration of humanity. Literature, he said, offers a space for people to free themselves from the “homeland that settles within the body.”
“Homeland is not only a geographic landscape but a spiritual space shaped by memories and hopes,” Rano said during his opening remarks. “Literature allows us to remember what it means to be human.”
Jakarta Vice Governor Rano Karno at the opening of Jakarta International Literary Festival 2025 in Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, November 13, 2025. Tempo/Internship/Kemal Raditya Pasha
He added that literacy is more than reading and writing. It is also an effort to preserve mental clarity. Through literacy, individuals are encouraged to think critically, understand reality, and build empathy.
Rano reaffirmed the Jakarta Provincial Government’s commitment to strengthening literacy initiatives, including reading gardens, digital libraries, public reading spaces, and festivals in schools.
“JILF reaches something more personal,” he said. “It touches the spiritual space where individuals encounter themselves through text and dialogue.”
Alternative rock band Barasuara performed at the opening of Jakarta International Literary Festival (JILF) 2025 in Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, November 13, 2025. JILF 2025 has officially begun, marking the start of the largest annual literary event in Indonesia. This festival is expected to be a strategic platform to promote Indonesian literary works globally and increase public interest in reading. Tempo/Internship/Kemal Raditya Pasha
Barasuara Takes the Stage
The festival’s opening night featured a performance by Barasuara, whose energetic set electrified the atmosphere at TIM. The pounding percussion, layered guitar arrangements, and the band’s signature vocal harmonies drew enthusiastic responses from the crowd.
Barasuara performed some of their best-known songs, including Samara and Bahas Bahasa, prompting the audience to sing along. They later closed the night with fan favorites Terbuang dalam Waktu and Pancarona.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Iga Massardi, joined by Asteriska, Poppy Sovia, Gerald Situmorang, Marco Steffiano, and Tjatur Bagus, delivered a performance that intertwined music with messages underscoring the importance of literacy.
Jakarta International Literary Festival at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, November 14, 2025. Antara/Sulthony Hasanuddin
Festival Programs
JILF 2025 presents a wide range of programs throughout its four-day run. The Authors’ Forum brings together 23 Indonesian writers from regions such as Bireuen, Boyolali, Singkawang, Larantuka, Mamuju, and Paniai, along with four international authors.
The festival also features Reading Night, where works by 11 writers are presented to the public, as well as a Live Mural program that showcases mural-making by six visual artists.
Meanwhile, various Fringe Events include book launches and discussions on current issues, while the Word Market provides a meeting point for literary and cultural communities.
A bustling Book Market introduces new and independent publications to readers, and the festival will conclude with Word Stage, a closing event highlighting performances and reflections on the festival’s themes.
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