Y. B. Mangunwijaya


Yusuf Bilyarta Mangunwijaya, was an Indonesian architect, writer, and Catholic priest. He was popularly known as Romo Mangun.

Biography

Romo Mangun was the son of Yulianus Sumadi Mangunwijaya and Serafin Kamdaniyah. At the age of sixteen, he joined the People's Security Army during the Indonesian National Revolution and was shocked by the way the troops treated the villagers. In 1950, upon hearing a speech about the harmful effects of the revolution on civilians by one of the commanders, Major Isman, he decided to serve as a priest. He was ordained in 1959, while studying philosophy and theology at the "Institut Sancti Pauli" in Yogyakarta. He continued to study architecture in Aachen, Germany, and at the Aspen Institute of Humanistic Studies in Aspen, Colorado.
He was the author of many novels, short stories, essays and non-fiction works. He produced many anthology of novels such as Ikan-ikan Hiu, Ido, Homa, Roro Mendut, Durga/Umayi, Burung-Burung Manyar, and his essays were published in various newspapers in Indonesia. His work, Sastra dan Religiositas was awarded as the best non-fiction book in 1982, while his novel The Weaverbirds received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1996.
His disappointment with the Indonesian educational system triggered him to explore alternative systems that led to the establishment of the Foundation for Elementary Education Dynamics in 1987. He had also set up an explorative elementary school for the community that was displaced by the development of the Kedung Ombo reservoir in Central Java, as well as the poor in the Code River, Yogyakarta.
Romo Mangun was known as the father of modern Indonesian architecture. In 1992, he received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture for his work on the slum dwellers by the riverbank Code in Yogyakarta. He also received The Ruth and Ralph Erskine Fellowship in 1995, as recognition of his dedication to the less privileged. His work on the houses of the poor along the banks of the Code River contributed towards Mangunwijaya becoming one of Indonesia's most renowned architects. According to Erwinthon P. Napitupulu, the author of a book on Mangunwijaya, due to be published at the end of 2011, Mangun heads the list of the top 10 Indonesian architects.
Romo Mangun's dedication to helping those who were poor, oppressed and marginalised by politics through an "outcry of the voice of conscience" made him a strong opponent of the Soeharto regime.

Awards

Architectural projects

  • Kali Code Urban Settlement, Yogyakarta : Aga Khan Award 1992
  • Sendangsono
  • Semarang Apostolic Building
  • Gedung Bentara Budaya, Jakarta
  • Gereja Katolik Jetis, Yogyakarta
  • Gereja Katolik Cilincing, Jakarta
  • Markas Kowihan II
  • Kampus II Universitas Surabaya
  • Gereja Katolik Santa Maria Assumpta, Klaten- Jateng
*

Publications

Novels

Romo Rahadi Burung-Burung Manyar Ikan-Ikan Hiu, Ido, Homa Balada Becak Durga Umayi Burung-Burung Rantau Balada Dara-Dara Mendut Pohon-Pohon Sesawi
  • ''Rara Mendut, Genduk Duku, Lusi Lindri''

Novels translated into English

The Weaverbirds, translated by Thomas M. Hunter; John H. McGlynn, editor. Lontar Foundation, 1991. 316 p.Durga/Umayi, translated by Ward Keeler. University of Washington Press; Singapore : Singapore University Press, c2004. 212 p.

Anthologies of essays and short stories

Sastra dan Religiositas Esei-Esei Orang Republik Tumbal: Kumpulan Tulisan Tentang Kebudayaan, Perikemanusiaan dan Kemasyarakatan
  • ''Rumah Bambu''

Others

Spiritualitas BaruPolitik Hati NuraniPuntung-Puntung Roro Mendut Fisika Bangunan Pemasyarakatan Susastra Dipandang Dari Sudut Budaya Putri Duyung Yang Mendamba: Renungan Filsafat Hidup Manusia Modern Ragawidya Di Bawah Bayang-Bayang Adikuasa Wastu Citra, Buku Arsitektur Menuju Indonesia Serba Baru Menuju Republik Indonesia Serikat Gerundelan Orang Republik Gereja Diaspora Memuliakan Allah, Mengangkat Manusia Manusia Pascamodern, Semesta, dan Tuhan: Renungan Filsafat Hidup, Manusia Modern Tentara dan Kaum Bersenjata Menjadi Generasi Pasca-Indonesia: Kegelisahan Y.B. Mangunwijaya Merintis RI Yang Manusiawi: Republik Yang Adil dan Beradab Pasca-Indonesia, Pasca-Einstein Saya Ingin Membayar Utang Kepada Rakyat Kita Lebih Bodoh dari Generasi Soekarno-Hatta Soeharto Dalam Cerpen Indonesia Impian Dari Yogyakarta,

Literatures on Romo Mangun

  • Sumartana, et al. Mendidik Manusia Merdeka Romo Y.B. Mangunwijaya 65 Tahun. Institut Dian/Interfedei dan Pustaka Pelajar, 1995..
  • Wahid, Abdurrahman. Romo Mangun Di Mata Para Sahabat. Kanisius, 1999..
  • Priyanahadi, et al. Y.B. Mangunwijaya, Pejuang Kemanusiaan. Kanisius, 1999..
  • Prawoto, Eko A. Tektonika Arsitektur Y.B. Mangunwijaya. Cemeti Art House Yogyakarta, 1999.Mengenang Y.B. Mangunwijaya, Pergulatan Intelektual dalam Era Kegelisahan. Kanisius, 1999..
  • Sindhunata. Menjadi Generasi Pasca-Indonesia, Kegelisahan Y.B. Mangunwijaya. Kanisius, 1999..
  • Purwatma. Romo Mangun Imam bagi Kaum Kecil. Kanisius, 2001..
  • Rahmanto, B. Y.B. Mangunwijaya: Karya dan Dunianya. Grasindo, 2001..
  • Yahya, Iip D. and Shakuntala, I.B. Romo Mangun Sahabat Kaum Duafa. Kanisius, 2005..