Bandung, WPs. - The launch and appreciation event for the Sundanese novel Puspawana Puspagiri by renowned writer Chyé Rétty Isnéndés was successfully held on Thursday, 11 June 2026. This culturally significant event took place solemnly at Auditorium B of FPBS, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), marking an important milestone in the preservation of local literary works.
The event opened with warm remarks from the Head of the Sundanese Language Education Study Program, Dr. Haris Santosa Nugraha, who said, “Alhamdulillah, today we are able to hold the launch and appreciation event for the Sundanese novel ‘Puspawana Puspagiri.’ This activity is a form of cooperation between the undergraduate Sundanese language education program and the master’s program in Sundanese language and culture at FPBS UPI together with the Sundanese Women Writers Association (PATREM), and it is supported by approximately 30 partner institutions. Thank you.” He emphasized that the success of the event could not be separated from the full support of these many partners.
“We know that Chyé Rétty’s works, which are connected to the establishment of PATREM in 1982, have produced not only literary works, but also women writers who have made major contributions to Sundanese literature,” said Ganjar Kurnia, advisor to PATREM, as he shared deep reflections on Prof. Rétty’s literary journey. In relation to regeneration from the beginning until today, he stressed that these works continue to live on, where “some are printed, and some are distributed through Manglé magazine.”
The series of book launch activities proceeded very smoothly and dynamically. The program began with successive remarks from several important figures, including the Head of the Sundanese Language Education Study Program Dr. Haris Santosa Nugraha, PATREM advisor Ganjar Kurnia, FPBS Vice Dean Yulianeta, and Pustaka Jaya Director Rachmat Taufiq. After the formal remarks concluded, the atmosphere in the auditorium became even more vibrant through captivating artistic performances. Students of Sundanese Language Education at UPI presented a poetry musicalization titled “Tangara Bulan” as well as an effective dramatization of an excerpt from the novel Puspawana Puspagiri.
The appreciation session became even richer with reflections from figures across disciplines. “Its beauty does not come from the novel alone, but from our appreciation in valuing this novel, which seems to make us speak to the flowers,” said Iwan Abdurahman, a member of PA WANADRI. In addition, deeper perspectives on this work were also shared by environmental figures, namely PA Jantera ‘77 founding member T. Bachtiar and DPKLTS Secretary General (Council for Forestry and Environment Observers of Tatar Sunda) Taufan Suranto.
The involvement of environmental figures and the ecological content within Puspawana Puspagiri also underscores literature’s concrete contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, it supports SDG 15 on Life on Land through an invitation to preserve the forests of Tatar Sunda, as well as SDG 4 on Quality Education and SDG 5 on Gender Equality through strengthening the active role of women writers’ communities in education and culture.
Institutional appreciation was also expressed by FPBS Vice Dean Yulianeta, who stated, “On behalf of the FPBS faculty leadership, I extend the highest appreciation and respect to Chyé Rétty for the birth of this very valuable literary work. Ladies and gentlemen, for us at FPBS UPI today, this is not merely a launch, but a manifestation of the exemplary role of a woman writer, professor, and educator at FPBS.”
The closing of the event was marked by an atmosphere of emotion and pride when the author, Chyé Rétty Isnéndés, expressed her deep gratitude. With great emotion, she said, “Thank you for the support of all parties who were willing to come from faraway places, from Sukabumi, Bekasi, Banten, and others, to attend the Launch & Appreciation of the Sundanese Novel Puspawana Puspagiri - so much so that I could say I was moved to tears.” Her sincere words became a beautiful closing note while also affirming the strong sense of togetherness that accompanied the entire event.
Contributors: Haidar Ali Dzulfikar, Dian Hendrayana