Poetry as a Bridge Across Language and Culture: Book Discussion Highlights “Sakti”, a Trilingual Poetry Collection by Sastri Bakry
By: Editorial Team, Suaraanaknegerinews.com
–
Padang, Indonesia, August 1st, 2025. Suaraanaknegerinews.com | In a world marked by rapid transformation and often fragmented by difference, poetry remains a quiet force that reconnects meaning, emotion, and shared humanity. This sentiment resonated deeply in the recent virtual international book discussion on Sakti, a trilingual poetry collection by Indonesian poet Sastri Bakry. The event offered more than literary critique—it served as a space for honoring multicultural dialogue, empathy, and the unifying power of words.
Held on August 1, 2025, and organized by SatuPena Sumbar, the International Minangkabau Literacy Festival (IMLF), and the World Poetry Movement (WPM), the discussion brought together more than 40 participants from various regions of Indonesia, along with speakers from Puerto Rico, Bangladesh, and Australia. The poems in Sakti—presented in Indonesian, English, and Spanish—functioned as cultural bridges, allowing diverse voices to meet in a harmonious, inclusive exchange.
Among the distinguished speakers were Luz María López, Puerto Rican poet and translator; Aminur Rahman, a poet and literary consultant from Bangladesh; Professor Ismet Fanany, an Indonesian-born academic and cultural scholar residing in Australia; and Zamawi Imron, a senior Indonesian poet.
The session was moderated with warmth and professionalism by Siska Saputri, Secretary of WPM-Indonesia and alumna of the English Literature Department, Universitas Negeri Padang.
“Sakti is not just a poetry book—it is a gathering place for voices across borders,” said Saputri, who guided the event with nuance and humanity.
Image Source: SatuPena Sumbar.
Other attendees included Armaidi Tanjung, Secretary General of SatuPena Sumbar; Minangkabau artist and retired academic Mindasari; public official Fahira Idris; and delegations from SatuPena, WPM-Indonesia, PPIM-Indonesia, and Poetry-Pen International Community. Australian-Vietnamese poet and educator Maiwhite (Vo Thi Nhur Mai), also a journalist based in Western Australia, added a special international dimension to the discussion. Most participants were writers, poets, and literature lovers from a variety of professional and creative backgrounds.
Exploring Universal Themes Through Symbolism
The speakers offered rich perspectives on Sakti’s literary themes. Luz María López delivered a compelling interpretation of the book’s symbolism—flowers, wounds, and thresholds—as metaphors for memory, maternal love, and resilience. She emphasized how Sastri Bakry’s poetry transcends cultural boundaries and touches universal truths.
Bangladeshi poet Aminur Rahman contextualized the work within global literary traditions, describing Bakry’s voice as one of “honesty, strength, and the lived experience of women.” He remarked that her poems are not only beautiful but powerful in their sincerity.
Professor Ismet Fanany provided a heartfelt reflection on the mother-child relationship explored in the book, noting how discipline and love often coexist in complex ways. He suggested that Sakti offers rich material for cross-cultural literary studies and praised the collection as a meaningful contribution to global literary discourse.
Indonesian poet and academic Leni Marlina—author of L-BEAUMANITY (Love, Beauty, and Humanity) and scholar at Universitas Negeri Padang—spoke of poetry’s ability to transcend space and time, calling it “a true wonder of the arts.” She highlighted the pandan mat symbol in Sakti, rooted in Minangkabau tradition, as a metaphor for hospitality and collective memory.
About the Poet: Sastri Bakry
Born in Pariaman, West Sumatra on June 20, 1958, Sastri Bakry is a poet, civil servant, and cultural activist whose literary journey spans decades. From her early writings in local newspapers to award-winning novels and poetry collections, Bakry has become a respected figure in both national and international literary circles.
Image Source: SatuPena Sumbar.
Her work has been translated into multiple languages, including English, Russian, Arabic, and Chinese. Several poems have been adapted into music and received national recognition. She previously served as Secretary of the Padang Regional Parliament and as an Inspector in the Ministry of Home Affairs before retiring.
As Chairperson of SatuPena Sumbar and CEO of the International Minangkabau Literacy Festival, she has brought Minangkabau literature to global platforms. Since its founding in 2023, IMLF has hosted participants from over 20 countries, featuring poetry readings, cultural dialogue, and international book launches.
Bakry’s accolades include the Srikandi Tun Fatimah Award (Malaysia, 2007), the Nusantara Cultural Figure Award (Indonesia, 2023), and the ISISAR Peace Award (2025). Her vision extends beyond personal achievement—she champions literacy as both an individual right and a pillar of collective cultural identity.
A Literary Gathering Rooted in Empathy and Connection
Participating virtually from western Indonesia, Sastri Bakry expressed her heartfelt gratitude:
“Though we are physically apart, we are united by the power and momentum of literature.”
This statement concluded the event on a hopeful note, underscoring literature’s role in connecting people across distances.
The book discussion, though virtual, felt intimate and deeply resonant. Siska Saputri’s gentle moderation allowed every voice to be heard, while Professor Fanany’s remarks about maternal love and discipline added a layer of emotional depth.
Speakers like Nanik Muis and members of Sumbar Talenta contributed with warm reflections, turning the session into more than a literary analysis—it became a celebration of cultural solidarity and shared human experience.
As one participant noted:
“Sakti reminds us that poetry isn’t just about beautiful words—it’s a vessel of memory, healing, and truth.”
Sakti affirms poetry’s timeless ability to bridge divides and amplify shared humanity. In an age of global conflict, digital fragmentation, and identity crises, Sastri Bakry’s work speaks with clarity and grace. The book and its global discussion remind us that love, struggle, and cultural identity are universal threads. Through the language of poetry, Sakti rekindles empathy and underscores the power of literature to build understanding and foster peace. (Leni M. SAN)
