A special event that pays homage to the extraordinary Balinese hero, I Gusti Ngurah Rai
The Apurva Kempinski Bali is set to commemorate Indonesia’s 78th Independence Day on 17 August 2023 with a special event that pays homage to the extraordinary life of one of Bali’s greatest heroes, I Gusti Ngurah Rai. As part of the Powerful Indonesia Festival, this event features the highly anticipated book launch of ‘Prosa Gerilya’ by Andre Syahreza, an exceptional work that delves into the heroic legacy of I Gusti Ngurah Rai and celebrates his invaluable contributions to Bali’s proud history.
The event, aptly titled ‘Tribute to I Gusti Ngurah Rai’, constitutes the launch of ‘Prosa Gerilya’, crafted by Andre Syahreza. The book delves into the life and contributions of I Gusti Ngurah Rai, capturing the essence of his unwavering commitment to Bali’s proud history. Through a simple yet profound narrative, ‘Prosa Gerilya’ brings to light the heroic journey of a man whose indomitable spirit continues to inspire generations.
Andre Syahreza is a respected Indonesian author who is known for writing several books, including ‘Black Interview’ and ‘City of Fiction’. He embarked on his career as a freelance journalist in Bali and was involved in designing Latitudes, an English-language cultural studies magazine based in Denpasar, Bali. In his role as a journalist, Andre Syahreza actively wrote about tourism in Indonesia. He consistently explored fresh topics related to Smart Tourism and Tourism Digitalisation. For two consecutive years, he was honoured with the Anugerah Pewarta Wisata Indonesia award from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy for his articles published in Colours magazine, including ‘Semarang’ (2019) and ‘Going North’ (2018).
‘I am deeply honoured to participate in the Powerful Indonesia Festival and share the spirit of Powerful Indonesia’, said Andre Syahreza. ‘As I reflect upon the remarkable profile and enduring spirit of I Gusti Ngurah Rai, I am profoundly moved by his indomitable dedication to our beloved nation—Indonesia. His unwavering courage, steadfast commitment and selfless sacrifice serve as a timeless testament to the very essence of Indonesia’s spirit. It is imperative that the stories of such luminous figures illuminate the path for current and upcoming generations’.
To further elevate the occasion, the book launch will be graced by a guest star, the highly acclaimed book author Dee Lestari. Dee, a literary luminary, is one of Indonesia’s most celebrated and revered writers. With her 2001 debut of a serial novel titled ‘Supernova’, Dee embarked on a literary journey that has left an indelible mark on Indonesian literature. She is not only a two-time recipient of Indonesia’s prestigious Book of The Year Award but also a two-time recipient of Indonesia Reader’s Choice Award as ‘Favourite Author’ and ‘Favourite Book’. Her presence adds a touch of literary excellence and excitement to the event, underscoring the importance of preserving and cherishing Indonesia’s cultural heritage and accomplishments. Joining her is Frischa Aswarani, a multifaceted personality, renowned poet, presenter and broadcaster. Frischa’s diverse talents extend to journalistic works, academic research, essays, poetry and short stories. Her literary contributions have given rise to speaking engagements at the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival and cultural dialogues at Publika, Kuala Lumpur.
This meaningful event is part of the Powerful Indonesia Festival, an annual celebration that showcases the nation’s powerful essence through art, culture, tradition, heritage and music in a mesmerising display of unity and creativity. The series of events kicked off on 11 August 2023, bringing together a dynamic ensemble of talented maestros, artists, creators and artisans in a symphony of collaboration that culminates in a meticulously curated festival.
Vincent Guironnet, General Manager of The Apurva Kempinski Bali said, ‘We are honoured to host the book launch of Prosa Gerilya as part of our Powerful Indonesia Festival. This event not only celebrates a heroic figure in Bali’s history but also embodies the spirit of collaboration, cultural preservation and empowerment that are central to our values at The Apurva Kempinski Bali’.
POWERFUL INDONESIA: 2023 CAMPAIGN
A 2023 brand campaign of The Apurva Kempinski Bali, ‘Powerful Indonesia’ promotes the powerful side of Indonesia, focusing on partnership with people across disciplines, cultural diversity guest experiences, an empowerment programme with educational institutions, sustainable activations and a development platform for people with disabilities.
Discover more about the Powerful Indonesia Festival.