Three Indonesian novels received awards at the ASEAN Book Awards 2018 held during the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair at the Putra World Trade Centre in Malaysia.
Hujan Bulan Juni (Rain of June) by Sapardi Djoko Damono won the award for best compilation book, while Dilan – Dia Adalah Dilanku 1990 (Dilan – He Was My Dilan 1990) by Pidi Baiq won for best fiction book and Sang Pemimpi (The Dreamer) by Andrea Hirata won the prize for best adaptation book, The Jakarta Post reported.
Damono also received an award for prolific writing for his book Yang Fana Adalah Waktu, the third novel of the Hujan Bulan Juni trilogy, Tempo reported.
Indonesia was chosen as a guest of honor, along with Saudi Arabia and Kedah, at this year’s Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair, which will run until May 6 (Sunday). The book fair is one of the largest literary events in Southeast Asia attracting around two million visitors.
Rosidayati Rozalina, chairwoman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, said the book fair was an opportunity for Indonesia to introduce local books and other literary works. The country brought more than 1,000 book titles to the fair, which includes children’s books, literature, crafts, science, comic books and religion.