The Indonesian Language and Literature Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, in collaboration with the Art Conservation Program at ISI Yogyakarta, TU Wien (Austria), and the Yogyakarta Philosophical Axis Management Office (BPKSF), is organizing a workshop titled “From Tugu to the Krapyak Stage: Storytelling on Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis for Children” on September 1–2, 2026, in Room 709 of the Soegondo Building, FIB UGM.
The workshop featured Aryanto Hendro, Head of the Yogyakarta Philosophical Axis Management Office; Ulrike Herbig from TU Wien, Austria; Prima Dona Hapsari, Chair of the Art Conservation Program at ISI Yogyakarta; Nano Warsono from the Art Conservation Program at ISI Yogyakarta; and Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, Chair of the Indonesian Language and Literature Program at FIB UGM.
In his presentation on “The Dynamics of Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis,” Aryanto Hendro encouraged participants to understand the Philosophical Axis of Yogyakarta not merely as a series of buildings or urban landmarks. The axis, which stretches from Tugu, the Yogyakarta Palace, to Panggung Krapyak, holds values, history, and philosophy that are important to recognize and pass on to future generations.
Meanwhile, Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, through her session titled “Storytelling on the Philosophical Axis of Yogyakarta for Children,” emphasized the importance of presenting cultural heritage in a way that resonates with children’s worlds. Complex philosophical values can be translated into vivid stories through characters, events, dialogue, games, illustrations, wayang or puppets, songs, and other creative activities. In this way, children not only receive information about the Philosophical Axis but are also invited to experience, imagine, and reinterpret this cultural heritage through their own perspectives.
This workshop also serves as a learning space for undergraduate and graduate students to develop their storytelling skills and apply them with children. Students are encouraged to transform their knowledge of the Philosophical Axis into stories that are communicative, imaginative, and enjoyable, while remaining grounded in the cultural values they embody.
The presence of speakers from various fields and institutions reinforces the interdisciplinary and cross-cultural nature of this workshop. Collaboration between language and literary studies, art conservation, cultural heritage management, and international perspectives opens up new possibilities for introducing the Philosophical Axis to the younger generation.
Through this workshop, storytelling becomes more than just the act of telling stories. Stories become a bridge connecting space, history, philosophy, creativity, and the world of children. From Tugu to the Krapyak Stage, cultural heritage is not merely remembered as a relic of the past but is brought to life through stories to grow alongside future generations. This initiative supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) through creative learning that introduces historical and cultural values to children. Efforts to bring the Yogyakarta Philosophical Axis to life through storytelling are also in line with SDG 11.4, which aims to strengthen the protection and preservation of cultural heritage. Inter-institutional and cross-national collaboration also reflects SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Author: Indonesian Language and Literature
