A new chapter in literary and cultural exchange between France and Indonesia was marked when the French Embassy in Indonesia and Institut Français d’Indonésie (IFI), in collaboration with Kompas Gramedia and Penerbit Erlangga, announced the recipient of the inaugural AYO BACA! program at Gramedia Makarya Matraman on 12 September 2025.
Launched by French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati during her visit to Jakarta in May 2025, AYO BACA! is designed to promote contemporary French literature in Indonesia and expand access to French works and translations across the archipelago. Its mission is to rekindle a love for reading, introduce new voices and authors, and encourage collaboration with local literary actors. At its core, the program reflects a shared commitment by both countries to linguistic diversity, cultural exchange, and the promotion of reading.
French Stories, Told in Bahasa Indonesia
The initiative unfolds in three stages, beginning in January 2025 and continuing throughout the year. From January to July, the Mon coup de cœur francophone – AYO BACA! award engaged around 40 Indonesian readers, including students from French-language departments at universities across the country. They immersed themselves in three contemporary French novels before casting their votes to select the winning title: Nos séparations (Our Separation) by David Foenkinos, a tender yet witty exploration of love, breakups, and second chances; Reine (Queen) by Pauline Guéna, a noir-inspired thriller following a hitman on the run after an unexpected crime of passion; and La tresse (The Braid) by Laëtitia Colombani, an international bestseller that interweaves the stories of three women across three continents in a testament to resilience and solidarity.
The chosen novel will soon be translated and published in Indonesian, giving local readers direct access to the richness of French literature. Inspired by the Choix Goncourt, a global initiative tied to France’s prestigious Goncourt Prize, the program is expected to become an annual tradition in Indonesia.
A French Reading Corner
The event also celebrated the inauguration of a French Corner at Gramedia Makarya Matraman, a dedicated space where the public can discover French-language books across a wide range of genres.
The initiative will continue with a series of activities designed to bring literature closer to Indonesian audiences. On 23 September in Surabaya, three specially equipped Bibliothèques Mobiles (BiMo) will begin touring Java, offering mobile access to books and activities for young people and communities. On 13 November, IFI Jakarta Thamrin will host literary translation encounters featuring workshops and lectures to encourage the development of a new generation of French-Indonesian translators.
Through AYO BACA! and its related programs, France and Indonesia are not only promoting reading but also strengthening ties between their literary traditions. By translating contemporary works, the initiative ensures that stories, ideas, and perspectives travel across borders, bridging cultures and enriching readers on both sides.
