Working To Preserve Ancient Manuscripts
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - Local experts are expected to present their ideas at the 9th International Symposium of Archipelago Manuscripts - scheduled to run from August 5 to 8 in Kota Bau-Bau, Celebes, Indonesia - in an attempt to preserve the region's ancient manuscripts.

Organised by Masyarakat Pernaskahan Nusantara (Manassa) in cooperation with Dati II Kota Bau-Bau, Buton, Sulawesi Tenggara, the symposium will see paper presenters from 10 nations of Indonesia, Holland, England, Australia, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore and Indonesia.

The experts expected to attend the symposium include Alexander Ogloblin (Russia), Abdul Razak (Malaysia), Chun Tai-Hyun (Korea), Edi S Ekadjati (Indonesia), Ian Caldwell (England), La Ode Abdul Munafi (Indonesia), Willem van der Molen (Holland), Susanto Zuhdi (Indonesia) and Hiroko Yamaguchi (Japan).

Themed `Manuscripts as World Heritage,' the symposium will also have various sub themes like `Manuscript and Technology, Manuscript and Law, `Manuscript and Language,' and `Manuscript and Literature.'

According to traditional manuscript experts, most of the ancient manuscripts kept by ordinary people may perish due to lack of awareness about conservation and the limited number of experts who could copy the written heritage.

During the last symposium, experts called for the preservation of ancient manuscripts and books kept by common people and those in museums as they were essential to protect the history of a nation. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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