YOGYAKARTA – Pramoedya Ananta Toer's fictional novel "Perburuan" (The Hunt) was published in 1949 and recounts the dramatic events leading up to the reading of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence in Jakarta in 1945. The narrative takes place in Blora, the author's birthplace. This dramatic event inspired the Yogyakarta-based arts group, the Nusantara Baca Arts Association (PSNB), to adapt the novel and stage a performance on the 80th anniversary of Indonesian independence.
The collaborative performance was held at the Pendopo of the Blora Regent's Official Residence on August 9, 2025, at 7:00 PM WIB, in collaboration with Rumah Literasi (RuLi) and the Blora Cultural Council. In 2023, PSNB staged a performance titled "Perburuan Pramoedya," which garnered attention and a positive response from the public. The latest version, which will also be staged at the Salihara Theater, Jakarta on August 23 at 7:00 PM WIB and August 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM WIB, is entitled Perburuan Pramoedya dari Blora ke Jakarta.
As organizers, PSNB designed this project as an educational and reflective space to reintroduce the values of struggle, freedom, and humanity. One of the unique features of "Perburuan Pramoedya dari Blora ke Jakarta" (The Hunt for Pramoedya from Blora to Jakarta) is its collaborative and intergenerational approach. The artists involved come from various disciplines such as theater, dance, music, and visual arts, and span the region from Blora to Jakarta. The creative process, involving discussion, research, and collective experience, makes this performance a platform for regeneration and knowledge transfer within the arts community.
The karawitan and parikan groups, Blora's signature arts, and the Padmawidya Laras performance from SMAN 2 Blora opened the event in the hometown of the novelist, Pramoedya Ananta Toer. As host, Blora Regent Dr. H. Arief Rohman, S.IP., M.SI., delivered opening remarks. He stated that providing space for this arts performance represents government support for preserving literary culture in Blora Regency.
"Hopefully, this activity will inspire us all, and we welcome everyone who has expressed their appreciation for this event. We hope we can continue to support events related to arts and culture together," added the Regent of Blora.
Dr. Herry Yogaswara also gave a foreword and watched the performance until its conclusion. The Head of the Archaeology, Language, and Literature Research Organization (Arbastra) of the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) stated that he is deeply interested in the landscape of language, literature, and archeology in the region, including the works of Pramoedya Ananta Toer, the distinctive language of the Samin community, manuscripts, and the distinctive architectural structures of Blora. He hopes that in the future, there will be a positive collaboration between BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency) and the Blora Regency Regional Research and Development Agency.
The Nusantara Baca Art Association also presented a companion program in the form of a public discussion after the performance. In Blora, the discussion was moderated by Mr. Sudartomo Macaryus and three speakers: Nur Indriatno (Rumah Literasi/RuLi Blora); Welda Savero (a Blora-born writer and author); and Dalhar Muhamadun (Chairman of the Blora Cultural Council). This discussion aims to ensure that the viewing experience does not stop in the theater, but continues in the form of reflection, exploring inspiration for building alternative spaces in literary and art learning, and broader collaboration strategies.
"We hope this performance will resonate and encourage audiences and the wider public to read the novel Perburuan (The Hunt) and other works by Pramoedya, as well as literature more broadly. This performance is a showcase, open to interpretation based on each audience member's aesthetic experience," said Landung Simatupang, scriptwriter and director of the performance.
Perburuan Pramoedya dari Blora ke Jakarta, produced by the Nusantara Baca Arts Association, proves that great Indonesian literary works still have a long life when approached in a fresh and relevant way. This performance opens up a space for the intersection of values, reflection on the nation's history, and hope for a more inclusive and contextual future for arts and culture. This performance is supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP) through the Cultural Endowment Fund program.
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