10 September 2025
Anita Kartika Pasaribu
FIB USU PR - On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) of the University of North Sumatra (USU) and PT Indonesia Wise successfully held the 2025 Lake Toba Writers Festival at the FIB Multipurpose Building.
The event was also attended by Prof. Dr. Dra. T. Thyrhaya Zein, MA, (Dean of FIB), Desni Maharani Saragih, S.STP, M.Si. (Head of the Library and Archives Office of North Sumatra Province), Amol Titus (Founder of Indonesia WISE), Sri Wilujeng (Program Coordinator), Mr. Ravi Shanker Goel (Consul General of India in Medan), the Chairperson and Secretary, academics, artists, and all students of the FIB study program at USU.
Prof. Dr. Dra. T. Thyrhaya Zein, MA, (Dean of FIB) described this event as a significant milestone. The theme, "Environment and Identity," is highly relevant to the dynamics of our lives today. The environment is a gift from God that we must protect, while identity is a cultural mandate that we must nurture and preserve.
"This festival is not just a gathering of writers, but a valuable space to bring together works and ideas that blend local culture within a modern framework," he said.
Through the collaboration between the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) of USU and PT Indonesia Wise, a forum also presents a confluence of language, art, literature, and culture. From academic presentations and ethnic poetry readings to Batak Opera performances, all of this is evidence of how literature and culture can act as bridges between humans and their environment, as well as a unifying force in diversity.
The Dean of FIB hopes that this event will not only be a spectacle but also a guide to a greater love for the environment, a deeper understanding of identity, and a more active participation in creating and preserving the nation's culture. He also emphasized the role of Lake Toba as a host not only of geological heritage but also a home to magnificent Batak culture.
He extends his sincere thanks to the entire committee, speakers, artists, and all those who have worked hard to make this event a success. "Hopefully, what we do today will be recorded as a good deed and bring broad benefits to society, the nation, and the literary world," she said.
Desni Maharani Saragih, S.STP, M.Si. (Head of the North Sumatra Provincial Library and Archives Office), conveyed this festival as an important event that strengthens literacy and the identity of North Sumatra.
"The theme of this year's festival is 'Environment and Identity,' the two things cannot be separated. Lake Toba, as an icon of North Sumatra, is clear evidence of this connection," said Ms. Desni.
She hopes this festival will produce more young writers from North Sumatra who can penetrate the national and even international stage.
Amol Titus (Founder of Indonesia WISE), expressed his gratitude that the festival was launched in Medan after two years of being held only in Samosir. This aligns with the festival's educational mission to collaborate with universities, particularly USU, to help students better understand literature and culture.
"We are very grateful to be able to launch the event in Medan. Our mission is also to educate and collaborate with universities, so that students understand literature and culture," said Amol.
The festival also served as a platform for Batak cultural expression, with discussion sessions in the Batak language and dance performances inspired by his own poem, "Balada Danau Toba."
The festival also held a writing competition for young writers. This activity provided a platform for young writers to receive guidance from senior authors.
"Don't stop searching for original ideas, just start from the heart and write sincerely," he advised the young writers.
Amol Titus was also proud that the festival had won an award from the Global Association in just three years, demonstrating its quality and contribution. Support from various parties, including the North Sumatra Provincial Government, the Language Center, and the Consul General of India, was crucial to the event's success.
"If students read, they will have a strong foundation for developing their creativity. A creative home can be strong if the foundation is strong," he said.
This served as a reminder to all students that amidst technological advances, the ability to write sincerely and originally remains key to producing meaningful and lasting literary works.
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