The East Java Language Center (Balai Bahasa Provinsi Jawa Timur) held the 2026 Sutasoma Awards on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the M. Tabrani Building, East Java Language Center. Now in its 18th year, the Sutasoma Awards serve as a form of recognition for language and literature practitioners, communities, teachers, and other individuals and groups dedicated to the development, preservation, and advancement of language and literature.

This year’s event featured a panel discussion titled “Building a Literary Ecosystem in East Java,” followed by an awards ceremony recognizing achievements in seven categories: Literary Criticism, Literary Figures, Regional Language and Literature Teachers, Indonesian Language and Literature, Literary Communities, Regional Literary Works, and Indonesian Literary Works.

Among this year’s recipients was Romzul Falah, a master’s student in Literary Studies at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). He received the 2026 Sutasoma Award in the Indonesian Literary Works category for his poetry collection Balai Desa dan Hantu-Hantu Nippon (dan Balada Orang-orang Batuputih) (The Village Hall and the Nippon Ghosts [and Ballads of the People of Batuputih]). The Sutasoma Awards are a prestigious recognition in the literary and literacy landscape, particularly in East Java.

Following a rigorous judging process conducted by a five-member panel chaired by Prof. Dr. Djoko Saryono, M.Pd., a professor of Indonesian Language and Literature Education at the Faculty of Letters, Universitas Negeri Malang (UM), Falah’s collection emerged as a standout work. The collection had previously been named a “Manuscript That Caught the Jury’s Attention” in the 2023 Poetry Manuscript Competition organized by the Jakarta Arts Council. It has now drawn further recognition for its innovative contribution to the poetry scene in East Java.

According to the jury’s official report for the 2026 Sutasoma Awards, the collection occupies a distinctive position in the landscape of contemporary poetry, particularly in East Java. At a time when much of East Java’s recent poetry has been dominated by lyrical forms, Falah takes a different approach, using narrative poetry to reconstruct a community’s collective memory, myths, and oral traditions.

The jury identified the collection’s structural coherence, from beginning to end, as one of its greatest strengths. The poetic world it creates was praised for its consistency, with no jarring transitions from one poem to the next. The collection also traces a thematic movement that swings from the distant, elevated, and fantastical toward the ordinary and fundamental, before ultimately returning to the earth.

Reflecting on the award, Falah expressed both joy and an awareness of the new responsibility it brings to his writing.

“First of all, of course, I’m happy that my poetry collection, Balai Desa dan Hantu-Hantu Nippon, has received an award from the East Java Language Center. At the same time, though, it feels like a kind of moral burden, because for me, an award is another way of expressing responsibility—specifically, the responsibility to return to writing poetry,” said the poet, who was born in 2000.

Falah also expressed his gratitude to the many people who contributed to the making of the book. He refers to it as “our book,” acknowledging that its writing and publication involved the efforts of many people, particularly his colleagues at Anagram Publishing, including Doni Ahmadi and editor Willy Fahmy Agiska. He also thanked his friends at Malatè Artspace, an arts community in Sumenep Regency, who offered feedback throughout the poetry-writing process.

In particular, Falah thanked his grandmother, who introduced him to the myths of his hometown when he was a child. These stories brought him closer to the lives and experiences of earlier generations and later became one of the sources he drew on in crafting his poems. Stories about life in Batuputih also provided material for the collection.

The 2026 Sutasoma Award recognizes the literary achievement of Balai Desa dan Hantu-Hantu Nippon (dan Balada Orang-orang Batuputih) while highlighting how poetry can serve as a space for transforming collective memory, mythology, oral traditions, and community experiences into contemporary literary expression.

For Falah, an FCS UGM student whose debut poetry collection is titled Sebuah Kota Yang Menculik Kita (A City That Kidnaps Us), the award does not mark the end of his literary journey. Instead, it represents a renewed responsibility to keep writing and to contribute to the development of poetry within Indonesia’s broader literary ecosystem.

During the panel discussion, Dr. Puji Retno Hardiningtyas, head of the East Java Language Center, explained that the Sutasoma Awards are part of the institution’s broader mandate to develop and promote language and literature.

“The Language Center plays a role in language preservation and public outreach, particularly in efforts to develop language and literature. One way we carry out this responsibility is by recognizing communities and practitioners working in language and literature. The Sutasoma Awards are how we have put that commitment into practice for the 18th time,” Retno said.

Based on her observations and experience in the field, among the 30 technical implementation units (UPTs) of language centers across Indonesia, the East Java Language Center remains committed to recognizing language and literature practitioners, communities, teachers, and others dedicated to the development of language and literature.

She also emphasized the crucial role of East Java’s literary works in enriching Indonesia’s linguistic and literary heritage. Works written in Javanese, Madurese, the Osing dialect of Javanese, and Indonesian, she noted, help expand the Indonesian lexicon while introducing regional languages and Indonesian through the richness of local wisdom.

“I believe that the works you produce—whether in Javanese, Madurese, the Osing dialect of Javanese, or Indonesian—serve as important milestones in enriching our vocabulary and introducing regional languages and Indonesian through the local wisdom expressed in your writing,” said Retno, who previously worked as a researcher at the Bali Language Center.

Retno further noted that writers, literary figures, communities, teachers, and language and literature practitioners in East Java make contributions that are just as strategically important as those of literary figures and works at the national level. The works produced by Sutasoma Award recipients, she said, represent a significant contribution with a broad impact on the development of Indonesian literature.

“This also demonstrates that the writers, literary figures, communities, teachers, and language and literature practitioners in East Java are every bit as capable as their counterparts at the national level. The works you have produced—including those of the seven recipients being recognized through this year’s Sutasoma Awards—have a far-reaching impact and play an important role in the development of Indonesian literature,” Retno said.

Author: Selvia Parwati Putri

The Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), in collaboration with the Art Conservation Study Program at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta, the Yogyakarta Philosophical Axis Area Management Agency (BPKSF), and Technische Universität (TU) Wien, Austria, organized a workshop titled “From Tugu to Panggung Krapyak: Storytelling about Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis for Children” on September 1–2, 2026. Held in Room 709, Soegondo Building, FIB UGM, this event aimed to introduce the cultural heritage values of Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis to children through creative and interactive storytelling.

The workshop featured speakers from all four collaborating institutions: Dr. Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, M.Hum., Head of the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program at FIB UGM; Dr. Prima Dona Hapsari, M.Hum., Head of the Art Conservation Study Program at ISI Yogyakarta; Nano Warsono, M.Sn., from ISI Yogyakarta; Drs. Aryanto Hendro Suprantoro, Head of the Yogyakarta Philosophical Axis Area Management Agency; and Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Ulrike Herbig from TU Wien, Austria. This collaboration brought together perspectives in literature, art, cultural heritage management, and academic studies to develop culturally appropriate ways of conveying cultural values tailored to children.

Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis consists not only of historical buildings and areas but also embodies philosophical values and cultural knowledge that are vital to pass down to future generations. Through storytelling, these values are transformed into narratives closely aligned with children’s experiences. Characters, fairy tales, wayang (puppetry), songs, and games can be utilized as media to help children recognize and understand the meaning of Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis in an engaging way.

During this workshop, children’s literature students from the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program at FIB UGM were involved in story development and storytelling practices. Meanwhile, students from the Art Conservation Study Program at ISI Yogyakarta contributed by developing properties and interactive visual media to support the storytelling. This activity served as a practical space for students to develop creative approaches in introducing cultural heritage to children.

The series of activities continued with an exhibition during the JWHF agenda on September 29, 2026, in front of the Yogyakarta City DPRD Building. Students from the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program at FIB UGM actively assisted and manned the exhibition booth, introducing Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis through live oral storytelling to visitors. This direct oral presentation served as an effective way to bring the philosophical and historical values of the Philosophical Axis closer to the public in an interesting and easily digestible manner. Student involvement in this initiative also supports cultural heritage preservation efforts through youth participation.

This collaboration aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4 on Quality Education through the development of creative and inclusive cultural learning, and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals through cooperation between universities and cultural heritage management institutions.

Author: Indonesian Language and Culture

Yogyakarta, October 19, 2026 — Proud news comes from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Two students from the Cultural Anthropology Study Program, Nasywa Adinda Ibrahim (Class of 2024) and Dinaesy Fadillah Hidayat (Class of 2025), have successfully qualified as participants in the 39th National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS 39). This national-level scientific event will be held at Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, from November 2–7, 2026.

This achievement is the result of a long series of Student Creativity Program (PKM) implementations spanning approximately four to five months. Both students, along with their respective teams, navigated various stages, ranging from field research to the Student Creativity Program Progress Assessment (PKP2). Following this rigorous process, the announcement of qualifying for PIMNAS 39 marks a proud milestone for FIB UGM students.

Nasywa Adinda Ibrahim is a member of the Social Humanities Research Student Creativity Program (PKM-RSH) team, collaborating with students from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL). The team’s research is entitled “The Paradox of Cultural Revitalization: Local Community Strategies in Facing Retail Gentrification in Kampung Batik Kauman, Solo.” The study was conducted through field research to understand how local communities navigate social and economic shifts driven by retail development in the Kampung Batik Kauman area of Solo. Through this thorough research journey, Nasywa and her team successfully advanced their work to the PIMNAS 39 stage.

Meanwhile, Dinaesy Fadillah Hidayat is part of the Exact Sciences Research Student Creativity Program (PKM-RE) team, collaborating with students from science and technology fields. The team developed research on utilizing rice straw as a raw material for hard carbon anodes in sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries. Their research is entitled “Engineering the Structure of Nitrogen-Doped Hard Carbon Derived from Rice Straw with Graphite Waste Spacers to Enhance the Performance of Sodium-Ion Battery Anodes.” This research focuses on engineering structural materials derived from agricultural waste and graphite to boost the performance of sodium-ion battery anodes. Successfully passing the various PKM stages brought Dinaesy and her team to secure a spot at PIMNAS 39.

The success of these two students demonstrates that FIB UGM students have ample opportunities to contribute across diverse research fields, spanning both the social humanities and science and technology. The involvement of Anthropology students in both teams also highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in developing innovative research that benefits society.

This achievement is expected to inspire other FIB UGM students to continue generating ideas, conducting research, and daring to compete at the national level. The entire academic community of FIB UGM extends its appreciation to Nasywa Adinda Ibrahim and Dinaesy Fadillah Hidayat, along with their respective teams. May both teams navigate the entire PIMNAS 39 series smoothly and achieve the best possible results.

Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman

Yogyakarta, September 30, 2026 — The Undergraduate Program in Indonesian Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), in collaboration with Kompas Gramedia, Bentara Budaya, and Penerbit Julang, held the launch of Janji yang Harus Ditepati: Promises to Keep, a collection of poetry by Sitor Situmorang, edited and translated by Harry Aveling. The event took place on Wednesday (30/9) starting at 1:00 PM Western Indonesia Time (WIB) until completion, in Room 709, 7th Floor of the Soegondo Building, FIB UGM.

The book launch featured several speakers from literary, academic, and literary translation backgrounds. Harry Aveling participated as a literary translator, Keith Foulcher as a literary historian, Muhammad Haji Salleh as an academic and national poet, and Ramayda Akmal as a writer and lecturer at FIB UGM. Three of the speakers—Harry Aveling, Keith Foulcher, and Muhammad Haji Salleh—joined the discussion online, while Ramayda Akmal attended in person. The discussion was moderated by Ni Made Purnama Sari, a writer.

In addition to the discussion, the event featured poetry readings by Rinai Yasmin, Ratu Bagus Lembayung, Alna Hafifah, and Ki Winarto Sabdo. Two of the poetry performers, Ratu Bagus Lembayung and Alna Hafifah, are students of the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program at FIB UGM. These poetry readings served as a medium to bring Sitor Situmorang’s literary works directly to the audience while broadening appreciation for Indonesian poetry through the readers’ interpretations.

This book launch provided an opportunity to connect readers with Sitor Situmorang’s works through the lenses of editing, translation, literary criticism, and poetry performance. The diverse backgrounds of the speakers also opened up avenues for exchanging ideas regarding Indonesian literature and the role of translation in expanding cross-lingual readership.

The collaboration between the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program of FIB UGM, Bentara Budaya, and Julang forms part of an effort to expand the space for literary appreciation and discussion through partnerships between educational institutions and cultural organizations. This event supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education through the reinforcement of literacy and literary appreciation, as well as SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals through cross-institutional collaboration in supporting the development and promotion of literary works.

Author: Indonesian Language and Literature Program

Yogyakarta, October 4, 2026 —The Cultural Anthropology Department’s orientation program for new undergraduate students (BERKAWANT), which had been running for 5 (five) weeks, finally reached its final day—the culmination and closing event of the series—held at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM, attended by the academic community of the Cultural Anthropology Department.

BERKAWANT began on August 23, 2026, as an orientation to introduce the dynamics of Cultural Anthropology at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, under the theme “Jumpa Maba” (New Student Gathering), led by Cultural Anthropology faculty members, including Dr. Agung Wicaksono, S.Ant., M.A., Head of the Department of Anthropology at UGM, followed on August 29 by a seminar titled “Rembukant,” which explored the scope of Anthropology as both a discipline and a practice, featuring Dr. Sita Hidayah, S.Ant., M.A., Chair of the Cultural Anthropology Undergraduate Program. Also related to the world of literature, on September 12, a “WKP” Writing Workshop was held, facilitated by Dr. Muhammad Zamzam Fauzanafi, S.Ant., M.A. The insights gained over the following weeks were applied through field research on campus and showcased at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, as part of the BERKAWANT series—specifically the “Pamerant” exhibition, which ran for five consecutive days with a shift system organized by research theme groups. The event concluded with the BERKAWANT culminating ceremony.

The BERKAWANT culminating event featured a program meticulously prepared by the organizing committee, comprising various activities aligned with reflective cultural studies—one of which was a journey through “ant” stations themed around the 10 cultural elements identified by Prof. Drs. Heddy Shri Ahimsa -Putra, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. There was also a symbolic induction of new students through a ritual depicting the journey of life, followed by an awards ceremony to recognize specific participants throughout the BERKAWANT event. Participants included not only new students and committee members but also several alumni and faculty members.

Author: Syafina Kamilya