INDUSTRY.co.id - JAKARTA – The 101st anniversary of the birth of Indonesia's legendary poet and filmmaker, Asrul Sani, has become an important momentum to re-introduce his legacy of thought and works to the public.
In the series of Asrul Sani Centennial events, the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas) revealed that they hold at least 80 collections of works and documentation related to Asrul Sani.
The information was conveyed by the Head of the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia, E. Aminudin Aziz, when opening the Cultural Dialogue and the exhibition "Asrul Sani's Creative Footsteps" on Tuesday (6/9/2026).
According to Aminudin, the commemoration of more than a century of Asrul Sani's birth is part of a shared responsibility to safeguard and reintroduce the nation's intellectual treasures to the present generation.
"Perpusnas has theworksof Asrul Sani. In my notes, what we can find while there are 80 titles detected," he said.
Of the total collection, the National Library recorded 31 monograph titles, 16 magazines, three newspaper collections, three photo collections, and 27 audio collections documenting the journey and work of the Force ’45 figure.
Aminudin emphasized that the Library's support for this activity was not just ceremonial participation, but part of the institution's mandate in strengthening the literacy culture of the community. According to him, literacy is not only related to the ability to read, but also the ability to think critically and understand various perspectives through quality works.
Therefore, the National Library continues to enrich the reading variety of the community, including through the development and dissemination of literary works that are relevant to the interests of readers.
"One of the steps taken is to encourage the rewriting and adaptation of classical literary works to be closer to the current generation," he explained.
In addition, a number of literary works have also been transformed into various modern formats such as comics and digital stories to make them more accessible to the younger generation.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, Bambang Wibawarta, referred to Asrul Sani as a maestro who made a major contribution to the development of Indonesian literature, film, and cultural thought.
As a poet of the Force ’45, Asrul Sani is considered to have succeeded in presenting the spirit of independence, humanity, and nationality through various works that remain relevant today.
"Asrul Sani is a figure who not only produces works but also shapes the direction of national cultural development. In the field of film, his work has become a milestone in the history of national cinema," said Bambang.
One of the most influential works is the film Naga Bonar, which is considered capable of presenting the story of the nation's struggle with a humanist, humorous approach, as well as close to people's lives.
On the same occasion, Asrul Sani's wife, Mutiara Sani Sarumpaet, said that the figure of the maestro was not only a writer, culturalist, filmmaker, and national thinker, but also a husband, friend, and teacher of life for his family.
He asserted that Asrul Sani's Centenary commemoration was not solely about age numbers, but rather an invitation to re-read, understand, and revive inherited values.
“A century a year is not just a reminder of numbers. But the invitation to read, understand and revive the spirit that is inherited, namely the spirit of critical thinking, courage to work and commitment to human and national values," he said.
As part of the series of events, the Library also opened the exhibition "Asrul Sani Creative Footsteps" which runs until June 17, 2026 in the 4th Floor Exhibition Room of the Library Library Service Facility Building.
This exhibition features various archives, documentation, works, ideas, and Asrul Sani's life journey as a writer, culturalist, filmmaker, politician, and educator.
In addition to the exhibition, the first day of the activity was also filled with Cultural Dialogue which presented a number of national figures and academics, including Jimly Asshiddiqie, Riris K. Toha-Sarumpaet, Eros Djarot, SM Gietty Tambunan, and Fauzan Zidni.
