The first Metropoli d’Asia-Khatulistiwa Literary Award was given to the Indonesian writer Sihar Ramses Simatupang in Jakarta on 10th November for his novel Bulan Lebam di Tepian Toba. The awards ceremony, in the presence of the Italian Ambassador, Roberto Palmieri, was held during the annual Khatulistiwa Literary Award, the most important Indonesian literary award. An Indonesian jury selected a list of seven novels from those published last year in the south-east Asian country. The mixed Italian and Indonesian jury of Metropoli d'Asia then chose the winner, who signed a contract for the acquisition of worldwide rights with  Md’A.