VISITING ANDREA HIRATA'S MUSEUM OF WORDS

25th OCTOBER 2019 ~ If you at least watched the number one hit movie Laskar Pelangi, then you should come and visit Andrea Hirata's Museum of Words to get to know the author of the book better. To get into the museum, you have to pay Rp 50 000 and you will be given a thin book that should be the entry ticket.

There were a myriad of colours on the walls of the museum, inside out, and this should be definitely the ultimate photo shoot spot for Instafamous wannabes. What people are expected to do is actually to read the inspirational words of Andrea Hirata all over the place to get to know him better (which we never really did as we were too busy taking photos).

Here are some interesting facts about Andrea Hirata:

• He was born in a poor family in Gantong, Belitung.
• He has a master's degree from the University of Paris and Sheffield Hallam Univeristy, UK in telecom-munication and economy. Conclusion: he is indeed a learned man.
• His book "Laskar Pelangi" has been translated into 12 languages and sold in 24 countries.
• From the book royalties he received, Hirata built a library for the community. Unfortunately all the books were gone as people still did not have the concept of lending books from a library.

I am glad I had to chance to visit this museum (and the replica of the school building used in the movie too). One of these days I would have to find the real novel and read it.

Here's a trailer of the famous "Laskar Pelangi" movie. If you try hard enough, you can find the link of the full movie on the internet like I did.

[MY BELITUNG TRIP MAIN PAGE]

VISITING SD MUHAMADDIYAH SCHOOL IN BELITUNG ISLAND

25th OCTOBER 2019 ~ The major attraction in Belitung is the replica of a school "SD Muhamaddiyah" in a place called Gantong on the island. The school came into existence from a movie adapted from a novel entitled "Laskar Pelangi". The film was so successful that the replica of the school building was built by the authority not only to attract tourists but also to appreciate the literary work of a writer originated from Belitung Island - Andrea Hirata.

"Laskar Pelangi" tells the story of 2 teachers and 10 school children who went against all odds to educate and be educated. This inspiring movie was one of the biggest box office movies in Indonesia of all time. All the children acting in the movie are true blue Belitungese (if such word exists). This was their first appearance on the silver screen and had made the movie touched the hearts of the audience.

I had made sure I watched the movie online before going, 11 years after it was first released. Why didn't I watch this a decade ago?

There were not too many people when we arrived there, many were already leaving the place. Hence, we had the school all to ourselves. This meant we could freely pose for photos without being watched by others. I was always the one with the most decent poise.

This was just over excited people who managed to go back to school, re-enacting the past event. I was a very obedient and well-mannered boy when I was young, if you are wondering.

The novel itself was a bestseller, in Indonesia as well as world wide. It has been translated into many languages. How a piece of writing could make a small and hidden island become famous.

After watching the movie, to be able to be inside the (replica of the) school building had made our visit a significant one. However, the best time to see the famous school is when there are not many visitors roaming around the compound or crowding inside the only classroom.

[MY BELITUNG TRIP MAIN PAGE]