SE Asia’s oldest printed Quran on display in Indonesia
A literary exhibition in Palembang, South Sumatra, has showcased classic works of literature spanning from the earliest history of the region, as well as archipelagic Indonesia as a whole.
A literary exhibition in Palembang, South Sumatra, has showcased classic works of literature spanning from the earliest history of the region, as well as archipelagic Indonesia as a whole.
The oldest printed Quran in Southeast Asia, alongside several ancient manuscripts, became the centerpiece of the exhibition, dubbed Palembang Literary Week, which will run until Sunday at the Palembang Grand Mosque.
Throughout the week, visitors will be able to trace the region’s literary history from the days of the once-gargantuan Sriwijaya Empire, right up to the post-independence era of early Indonesia.
Rare literary artifacts such as a two-century-old handwritten European letter, sabak (an early writing instrument made out of stone) and ancient stone inscriptions are among the highlights of the exhibition.
A Quran that was printed in August 1848, soon after the establishment of the first lithography-based printing house in the region under the Dutch occupation, also drew public attention, as literary experts have declared it the oldest printed Quran in Southeast Asia.
Palembang-based literature expert, Ahmad Subhan, said the extensive collection showcased at the exhibition proved that the provincial capital had experienced massive cultural shifts over the course of centuries.
