Eka Kurniawan, an Indonesian author renowned for capturing the distinctiveness of Indonesian culture in his works, has received a Prince Claus award for Literature. The award was handed over by Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands at Amsterdam’s Royal Palace last Thursday.
The Prince Claus Awards Committee said in their statement on Friday that the 43 year-old writer was honored for his “profoundly imaginative storytelling, the remarkable beauty of his prose and the universal relevance of his subject matter”.
The awards committee, which was comprised of independent international professionals in fields of culture and development, said Eka’s work were remarkable for being “able to confront violent political acts that are absent from official discourse, and examining controversial issues in a way that people can really relate to, helping them to reclaim stories of their past and construct a better understanding of their country.”
Eka, who studied the great Indonesian writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer for his philosophy thesis, was also applauded for bringing light to alternative readings of Indonesian history, stimulating long-overdue awareness and a greater understanding of his homeland.
Eka had his first taste of international fame in 2015 with his first novel Cantik Itu Luka (Beauty is a Wound), which was originally released in Indonesia in 2002. Beauty is a Wound is a satire and family tragedy that urges a reassessment of Indonesian history and its unresolved consequences.
One year later, he became the first Indonesian writer to be nominated for the Man Booker International Prize for his second novel, Manusia Harimau (Man Tiger) (2004). The novel tells the story of a female tiger who takes possession of a man and serves as a sharp critique of patriarchy and oppression of women.
His other works include: Corat-coret di Toilet (Graffiti in the Toilet) (2000), a collection of satirical short stories about his generation including leaders who became power-hungry opportunists; Seperti Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas (Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash) (2014), a study of masculinity, rape, authority and impotence; and a children’s book with adult appeal titled O (2016). Eka’s major works have been translated into 24 languages.
The Prince Claus Awards is a part of The Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development that was established in 1996. As a tribute to the late Prince Claus’s dedication to culture and development, the Fund honors individuals and organizations for their “excellent, ground-breaking work in the fields of culture and development”, primarily in Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe.
Eka is one of the seven laureates honored in front of the Dutch royal family and guests from all over the world. The award is also due to be given in the country of each laureate, with a ceremony attended by the Ambassador of the Netherlands. Indonesians who have received the award in the past including writer Ayu Utami, dancer and film director Sardono W. Kusumo, and artist FX Harsono.
Some of the other recipients for this year’s award were Adong Judith (playwright, film & theatre-maker, Uganda), Kidlat Tahimik (artist & filmmaker, Philippines), Marwa al-Sabouni (architect, Syria); Principal Prince Claus Award recipient, Market Photo Workshop (training institute and cultural platform, South Africa); and Next Generation Award recipient Dada Masilo (dancer & choreographer, South Africa).
