Gabungan Persatuan Penulis Nasional

Gabungan Persatuan Penulis Nasional (GAPENA), also known as the National Federation of Writers' Associations of Malaysia, is a coordinating body for writers' organizations in Malaysia. Founded on 23 October 1970 at a congress of representatives from 13 writers' associations, it was initiated by the National Union of Writers of Malaysia. GAPENA currently unites 22 writers' organizations across all states of Malaysia. Its primary aims are to unite Malaysian writers writing in the national (Malay) language, defend writers' rights, provide moral and material support, discover young talent, and develop Malay language, literature, and culture nationally and internationally. The organization conducts a wide range of activities, including the biennial Day of Literature (since 1973), National Poetry Day (since 1979), and Nusantara Writers' Meetings (since 1981). It has organized symposia with writers from ASEAN countries, Indonesia, Thailand, South Africa, and China, and in 2001 held a continuous reading of 1000 poems. GAPENA maintains active ties with the Moscow-based Nusantara Society and has co-organized international seminars. Its early chairmen include Ismail Hussein (1970–2012), Abdul Latif Abu Bakar (2012–2016), and Zainal Abidin Borhan (2016–). The federation continues to be active, celebrating its 53rd anniversary in 2023 and organizing events such as the 19th Hari Sastera and the 20th Nusantara Writers' Meeting.

GAPENA was established on 23 October 1970 at a congress of representatives from 13 writers' organizations in Malaysia, initiated by the National Union of Writers of Malaysia. Its founding aim was to create a unified body to coordinate the activities of various writers' associations and to promote Malay language and literature. Over the decades, GAPENA grew to encompass 22 writers' organizations across all states of Malaysia. It has organized major recurring events such as the Day of Literature (Hari Sastera) since 1973, National Poetry Day (Hari Puisi Kebangsaan) since 1979, and the Nusantara Writers' Meeting (Pertemuan Sasterawan Nusantara) since 1981. In 1984 and 1988, it held the Congresses of Malay Language and Malay Literature. GAPENA has also conducted international symposia with writers from ASEAN (1977), Indonesia (1986, 2001), Thailand (1990), South Africa (1993), and China (1994). In 2001, it organized a continuous reading of 1000 poems. The federation maintains active ties with the Moscow-based Nusantara Society, co-organizing an international seminar in Moscow in 1997 on national building and literary/cultural processes in Southeast Asia. Its early chairmen were Ismail Hussein (1970–2012), Abdul Latif Abu Bakar (2012–2016), and Zainal Abidin Borhan (2016–). In 2023, GAPENA celebrated its 53rd anniversary and continued to hold events such as the 19th Hari Sastera, the 20th Nusantara Writers' Meeting, and the 5th Southern Dialogue.

• GAPENA founded at a congress of 13 writers' organizations.

• First Day of Literature (Hari Sastera) held, becoming a biennial event.

• Symposium with ASEAN writers held.

• National Poetry Day (Hari Puisi Kebangsaan) initiated.

• Nusantara Writers' Meeting (Pertemuan Sasterawan Nusantara) initiated.

• Congress of Malay Language and Malay Literature held.

• Symposium with Indonesian writers held.

• Second Congress of Malay Language and Malay Literature held.

• Symposium with Thai writers held.

• Symposium with South African writers held.

• Symposium with Chinese writers held.

• International seminar 'National Building and Literary/Cultural Process in Southeast Asia' held in Moscow with the Nusantara Society.

• Continuous reading of 1000 poems organized; symposium with Indonesian writers held.

• Abdul Latif Abu Bakar becomes chairman after Ismail Hussein's tenure ends.

• Zainal Abidin Borhan becomes chairman.

• GAPENA celebrates its 53rd anniversary.

• GAPENA receives industry award for Best Children's Series for 'Siri Cerita Rakyat Malaysia' (Malay-Russian).

National coordinating body for Malay-language writers and literary organizations in Malaysia.

• Hari Sastera (Day of Literature)

  Biennial literary event held since 1973.

• Hari Puisi Kebangsaan (National Poetry Day)

  Annual event held since 1979.

• Pertemuan Sasterawan Nusantara (Nusantara Writers' Meeting)

  Regional gathering of writers held since 1981.

• Sayembara Deklamasi Puisi Kemerdekaan (Independence Poetry Declamation Contest)

  Regular poetry recitation competition tied to Independence Day.

• Siri Cerita Rakyat Malaysia (Malay-Russian)

  Children's book series that won an industry award in 2023.

1. 1Gabungan Persatuan Penulis Nasional Malaysia (GAPENA) official bloggapenasional.blogspot.com
2. 2Wikidata entry for Gabungan Persatuan Penulis Nasionalwikidata.org
3. 3Russian Wikipedia article on the National Federation of Writers' Unions of Malaysiaru.wikipedia.org