AZHARI was born on the outskirts of Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on 5 October 1981.  Until recently, he was studying in the Department of Indonesian Language and Literature, Faculty of Education, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh.  He is active in Komunitas Tikar Pandan [The Pandanus Mat Community], a group that focuses on cultural activities in Aceh, and the chief editor of the cultural journal Titik Tolak [Point of Departure]. In 2004, Azhari published his first collection of short stories: Perempuan Pala [Nutmeg Woman].

Azhari lost his entire family in the recent tsunami which devastated Aceh, and his intention is to begin a new life elsewhere.  The Paradox Literary Centre [founded at the time of the tsunami and based in Yogyakarta, Indonesia] has provided the funds to evacuate Azhari from Sumatra to Yogyakarta, and has arranged temporary accommodation with members of the literary community there.  Paradox will raise additional funds to set up a one-year writer’s residency for Azhari in the city of Yogyakarta, Java, and to publish a book of his writings at the end of that year.  We have already received the promise of support from the Literatursalon am Kollwitzplatz in Berlin towards port Azhari’s residency.

Azhari will attend the launch of PLC on 6 February in Ubud, at Miros Garden Restaurant.