The Challenge on Expressing Truth

Robin Block’s Handbook for the Displaced revisits the struggles of his grandparents as they navigated life in the Netherlands after leaving independent Indonesia. Through vivid poetry and rich imagery, Block intertwines personal and universal narratives, reflecting his own journey to modern Indonesia. Angelina Enny’s Finding Sita in the Indies takes readers on a historical journey through the Dutch East Indies of the 1930s. Following Ernest Agerbeek’s quest to find a feminine figure shaping his identity, the book introduces characters like a ghost storyteller and an opium smuggler. The encounters reflect Indonesia’s colonial past. Through these interactions, Ernest uncovers deeper insights into history and personal heritage. Together, these works offer profound reflections on identity, migration, and the challenges of expressing personal and historical truths.

Speakers
Angelina Enny (INDONESIA)
Robin Block (THE NETHERLANDS)

Moderator
Arkan Tanriwa (INDONESIA)