In the literary scene of Blitar, the name Ahmad Fahrizal Aziz is almost always present whenever a movement begins. Nearly every literacy initiative in this small East Javanese city—whether a forum, a circle, or a collective—has, at some point, carried his touch. That’s why when he launched “Sahabat Buku Blitar” (“Book Friends of Blitar”), many assumed it was yet another community project.
It wasn’t.
“Sahabat Buku Blitar isn’t a community—it’s just a platform to host book-related content,” he said with a light smile. Yet behind that modest remark lies a long journey of a man deeply rooted in the world of reading, writing, and social movements.
A Long Trail of Forums and Movements
Fahrizal’s name has been known for years. Back in 2008, he helped establish Forum Lingkar Pena (FLP) Blitar, the city’s first literary community that combined two key passions: reading and writing. FLP Blitar became a home for young people who wanted to learn creative writing, essays, and opinion pieces grounded in intellectual and spiritual reflection.
But he didn’t stop there. In 2014, he founded Paguyuban Srengenge, a discussion group with a wider focus. Srengenge wasn’t limited to books—it hosted dialogues on religion, nationalism, and tolerance, offering “tadarus pemikiran” (study sessions) on figures such as Nurcholish Madjid, Gus Dur, and Soekarno. The meetings were informal but intellectually rich.
Four years later, in 2018, he launched Komunitas Muara Baca, a community designed not for avid readers—but for those who don’t like reading at all. He understood that not everyone feels comfortable with thick books or academic jargon. So, he created a space where books could be “told” through light conversations rather than formal study. It was a simple but brilliant idea—making literacy more inclusive and approachable.
From Movement to Institution
By 2020, his work expanded further when he joined the Gerakan Pemasyarakatan Minat Baca (GPMB), a regional organization dedicated to promoting reading culture across Blitar. There, Fahrizal served as Secretary I, a key position connecting activists, educators, and local cultural networks.
Under GPMB’s umbrella, he helped establish Suara Sastra (“The Voice of Literature”), a creative platform for young writers and readers. Fahrizal became one of its core initiators, organizing poetry readings, book discussions, and collaborative publications. Those who know him describe him as someone who rarely seeks the spotlight—he prefers to stay behind the scenes, writing, editing, and mentoring others quietly.
The Birth of “Sahabat Buku Blitar”
So, when “Sahabat Buku Blitar” appeared online, it was no surprise that people assumed it was another one of his community projects. But in truth, it’s a personal venture—a “small lab,” as he calls it, where he creates book reviews, reflections, and quotes for digital audiences.
“I’ve been in communities for a long time. Now I just want to enjoy books through content creation,” he once said. At this stage in his journey, Fahrizal seems to prefer a quieter path—reading, writing, and sharing insights rather than leading movements.
He reminds fellow activists that building a community is noble, especially for literacy, but “don’t forget to enrich your own literacy first.”
His point carries weight. Many literacy activists get so busy organizing events or running book fairs that they forget to actually read. Fahrizal highlights this irony with his characteristic humor:
“Sometimes we tell others to love books, but forget to read them ourselves. We run book stalls but don’t have time to open a single page,” he said, laughing.
Literacy as a Way of Life
For Ahmad Fahrizal Aziz, literacy isn’t just an activity—it’s a way of life. He grew up in a culture of reading and conversation, believing that books aren’t static objects but living companions for thought. Through Sahabat Buku Blitar, he’s trying to bridge the printed page and the digital world.
The content he produces isn’t just book reviews; it’s often reflective writing—short essays, excerpts, and contemplative pieces about reading and living thoughtfully. He doesn’t write to impress, but to revive the joy of reading in an era of shallow scrolling.
Even though Sahabat Buku Blitar started as a casual idea, in Fahrizal’s hands it has become a reflection of lifelong devotion to the written word. He may no longer organize large gatherings, but his quiet commitment continues—transforming from physical spaces to digital ones, from public events to private reflection.
From Activism to Contemplation
Two decades ago, he was known as a mover—a community builder. Now, he’s more of a witness and archivist. He no longer collects people, but collects meanings. He no longer arranges programs, but reorganizes ways of seeing the world through books.
And perhaps, that’s where his journey has led: that true literacy is not just about reading together, but about understanding in solitude.
“Books and writing are the worlds I truly love,” he said softly.
Indeed, for some people, literacy is a movement.
But for Ahmad Fahrizal Aziz, literacy is breath itself.
And because of that, he will never really stop writing—he’ll just keep finding new ways to do it.
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