Yogyakarta, January 2026 – January marks a moment to commemorate Eyang Sapardi Djoko Damono, an Indonesian poet born on January 20, 1940. His works are widely known for their closeness to everyday life and their use of simple language that nonetheless carries profound meaning. Through his poetry, Sapardi invited readers to become more sensitive to language, emotions, and the realities surrounding them.
Sapardi’s poems, including “Hujan Bulan Juni” (June Rain), often feel closely connected to the experiences of university students and younger generations. His light yet reflective choice of words makes his works accessible to read while simultaneously opening space for thought and interpretation. In this way, literature no longer feels distant or complicated, but instead becomes an integral part of daily life.
This spirit aligns with the values upheld by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada, which positions language and literature as essential elements in fostering a culture of literacy. Through the works of Sapardi Djoko Damono, literature is understood as a medium capable of recording human experiences and portraying the social realities of its time.
The commemoration of Sapardi’s birthday also serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating reading and writing habits among students. Amid the rapid flow of information today, literary literacy helps sharpen critical thinking, empathy, and the ability to understand meaning beyond surface-level reading.
The literacy values inherited from Sapardi Djoko Damono also contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, through the strengthening of literacy culture and humanities-based learning, as well as SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, by preserving and nurturing intangible cultural heritage through literary works.
Through the momentum of remembering Sapardi Djoko Damono, students are encouraged to continue nurturing literacy and to embrace literature as a space for reflection, dialogue, and the reinforcement of humanistic values in everyday life.
[FIB UGM Public Relations, Alma Syahwalani]30
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