Yogyakarta, 11/2/2025 – The Department of History, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada held a significant book discussion titled ‘The Opium King of Yogyakarta: Memoirs of Kho Ho Sing 1823-1878.’ The event took place in the Auditorium Room on the 7th floor of Soegondo Building, attracting a diverse audience interested in cultural history and the complexity of cultural diversity in Indonesia.

The discussion featured three prominent speakers: Dr Abdul Wahid, M.A., Dr Leonard C. Epafras, and Dr Sri Margana. Each speaker provided a unique perspective on the life and legacy of Kho Ho Sing, a pivotal figure in the history of Yogyakarta, whose memoirs reflect the hybrid cultural identity of the Chinese and Javanese communities in Indonesia.

Afterwards, the discussion was rounded off with a Q&A session, where participants had the opportunity to interact with the speakers. One of the interesting questions was about the relationship between Kho Ho Sing and the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. The speakers explained how Kho Ho Sing’s relationship with the sultanate reflects the intricate ties between different cultural groups in Yogyakarta.

The event not only highlighted the historical significance of Kho Ho Sing but also emphasised the broader theme of cultural diversity in Indonesia. It served as a reminder of the importance of recognising and celebrating the various cultural influences that have shaped this nation.

As part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting cultural diversity, this discussion aimed to encourage a deeper understanding of Indonesia’s multicultural heritage. The speakers encouraged the audience to appreciate the rich cultural exchanges that have taken place throughout history.

In conclusion, the book discussion on ‘The Opium King of Yogyakarta: Kho Ho Sing’s Memoir 1823-1878’ was a successful event that brought together academics, students and cultural enthusiasts. The event provided valuable insights into the hybrid cultural identities that define Indonesia and emphasised the importance of preserving and promoting cultural diversity in contemporary society.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Bulan Churniati]

Yogyakarta, 11/2/2025 – Universitas Gadjah Mada’s Senate Hall was filled with enthusiasm and pride as the university celebrated the inauguration of Prof. Dr. Suhandono, M.A. as Professor in the Faculty of Humanities, specialising in Anthropological Linguistics. The event took place on Tuesday, 11 February 2025, and was attended by distinguished faculty members, students, as well as guests from various academic institutions.

In his speech, Prof Suhandono emphasised the importance of positive discourse analysis within the framework of ecolinguistics. He explained how language not only reflects speakers’ views on the environment, but also influences the way they think and act towards it. This link between language and environmental awareness is particularly important in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in education.

Prof. Suhandono points out that while language alone may not hold the key to solving environmental problems, it has a significant role in shaping people’s attitudes and behaviours. He argues that through education, individuals can be equipped with the linguistic tools necessary to engage in meaningful discussions about environmental conservation and sustainability.

Source: Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Ebid El Hakim

One of the key examples he provides is the concept of ‘wit angker,’ or haunted trees, which serve as a cultural strategy for environmental conservation. This traditional practice highlights how local wisdom and language can contribute to sustainable practices, demonstrating the interplay between culture, language and environmental management.

The professor further explained how positive discourse can encourage a sense of environmental responsibility. By promoting narratives that celebrate nature and encourage sustainable practices, educators can inspire students to become active participants in environmental conservation efforts. This is in line with the SDGs’ focus on quality education and sustainable communities.

In closing, the celebration of Prof Suhandono’s achievements serves as a reminder of the vital role education plays in shaping a sustainable future. By harnessing the power of language, we can develop a deeper understanding of our environment and empower individuals to take action for a better world.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Bulan Churniati]

Yogyakarta, 8/2/2025 –The spirit of togetherness and sportsmanship colored the badminton tournament held by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at the Lembah Sports Building of Universitas Gadjah Mada. The event, which is part of the Faculty’s 79th Anniversary celebration series, was lively with active participation from the entire academic community.

The organization of this tournament is not only held to compete, but also a moment to strengthen the relationship between the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM Academic Community. High enthusiasm can be seen from the participation of six teams competing, namely the Red Team, White Team, Yellow Team, Blue Team, Green Team, and Orange Team, each of which fielded six players consisting of several parties, namely men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.

Since morning, the area of the Lembah Sports Building of Universitas Gadjah Mada has been filled with participants and supporters from various teams. Before the match began, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si., gave a warm welcome to all academicians present. The activity continued by warming up and following the drawing procession to determine the first ball. The cheers and applause of the audience echoed in the match area, creating an atmosphere full of enthusiasm and kinship.

Entering the final, the match between Team Blue and Team White was fierce for first place. Both teams played their best, entertaining the audience with spectacular actions on the court. After a thrilling match, the Blue Team finally won the title by winning the first, second, and third men’s doubles matches.

The tournament was closed with a group photo between the Blue Team, White Team, and Yellow Team who won the first, second, and third place. The badminton tournament organized by FIB UGM is proof that sports can be an effective medium to build togetherness and develop the potential of the academic community outside the academic field.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]

Yogyakarta, 6/2/2025 – In order to enliven a series of activities for the 79th Anniversary of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences of Universitas Gadjah Mada, the Academic Community of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences of Universitas Gadjah Mada held a volleyball tournament in the Greenland area of Margono Djojohadikusumo Building on Friday, February 6, 2025. The volleyball tournament was attended by four teams, namely the Red Team, White Team, Yellow Team, and Blue Team, each of which sent 6 players and several reserve players. Before the match started, the two competing teams warmed up and drew the first ball.

This tournament was one of the various activities held to celebrate the Faculty’s 79th Anniversary. Attended by lecturers and education staff, this event aims to strengthen the relationship between the academic community, as well as show the spirit of togetherness through sports. Not only showing the spirit of togetherness, this tournament also showed the depth of talent possessed by the Faculty’s academic community in volleyball. The atmosphere was full of energy and the cheers of the audience added to the excitement of the game.

The success of this tournament is also inseparable from the full support of the entire academic community who have been involved in preparing everything carefully, from setting the match schedule to adequate playing fields. With great enthusiasm, this volleyball tournament is expected to become an annual agenda that can strengthen the sense of togetherness among the academic community of FIB UGM.

At the end of the tournament, the Blue Team emerged victorious after winning the match against the Red Team. Even so, all the competing teams showed the spirit of sportsmanship and togetherness. It shows that the whole team is the true winner.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]

Yogyakarta, 4/2/2025 – Prof. dr. Martijn Eickhoff gave a presentation on the extreme violence committed by the Dutch military during the Indonesian War of Independence in a discussion organized by the Universitas Gadjah Mada Department of History and several Dutch institutions on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 in Room 709 Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The discussion was attended by 24 participants, including the Head of the History Department of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Dr. Abdul Wahid.

In his presentation, Prof. dr. Martijn Eickhoff outlined the key findings of the book “Beyond the Pale” which is the result of a comprehensive research involving 30 Dutch researchers, 11 Indonesian researchers, and 6 international researchers. The research began in September 2017 with the full support of the Dutch government without any intervention. “The official view of the Dutch government in 1969 that the armed forces as a whole behaved correctly in Indonesia and that there were only a few excesses is no longer tenable,” he says.

The research reveals that the Dutch military frequently and structurally used extreme violence, including torture, summary executions, rape, destruction of property and burning of villages. Political, military, civilian and legal officials at the time tolerated, promoted, covered up and took no action to punish perpetrators of violence.

Prof. dr. Martijn Eickhoff explains some of the factors that led to the extreme violence, including the underestimation of the strength of Indonesian nationalism that led to unrealistic political and military strategies, and the willingness to use extreme violence to destroy the Republic and take control of decolonization. This is in line with what he asserts, “The Dutch armed forces as an institution are responsible for this widespread and structural extreme violence. The Dutch government as a whole is responsible for what happened”.

In response to the results of this study, the Rutte Cabinet immediately offered support and apologies aimed primarily at Indonesian victims, the Indisch community, and veterans. However, some segments of the veteran and Indisch communities expressed disappointment and anger. Activist groups also criticized the study for ignoring centuries of colonial injustice.

In Indonesia, the positive response has mainly come from academics, while the reaction from the government and the public has been cool. This discussion is part of an effort to bridge the historical narratives between Indonesia and the Netherlands in the Indonesian War of Independence.

[Public Relation of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Muhammad Ebid El Hakim]