Yogyakarta, September 2, 2025 – The Undergraduate Tourism Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held an international guest lecture under the ERASMUS+ Staff Mobility program with the theme “Sustainability and Sustainable Practices in Tourism Enterprises.” The lecture featured Assoc. Prof. Halime Göktas Kulualp from Karabük University, Turkiye, shared valuable insights through the case study of Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage City recognized since 1994.

In her presentation, Prof. Kulualp described Safranbolu as a small but historically rich town in Karabük Province, located in the Black Sea region of Turkiye. For centuries, it served as an important stop on the ancient Silk Road, a trade route connecting Asia and Europe. The town has witnessed the presence of great civilizations, including the Hittites, Romans, and Byzantines, and reached its golden age under the Ottoman Empire. During this period, caravanserais such as the famous Cinci Han were established to host merchants and travelers passing through the region.

What makes Safranbolu truly unique is its remarkable Ottoman architecture. The town is renowned for its traditional houses, many of which are more than 300 years old, characterized by whitewashed walls, wooden frames, large windows, and private courtyards. These houses are living examples of how Turkish people once lived. Beyond its architecture, Safranbolu is also surrounded by natural beauty, with stunning sites like Tokatl Canyon and Bulak Caves attracting both domestic and international visitors.

The name Safranbolu comes from “saffron,” a rare and precious spice that grows in the area, combined with the name of the nearby region, Bolu. This name reflects the city’s cultural identity and historical wealth. UNESCO’s recognition highlights Safranbolu’s authenticity, integrity, and its importance as a living heritage for humanity. According to Prof. Kulualp, Safranbolu’s success in preserving its cultural legacy while embracing tourism offers an inspiring example of how heritage conservation and sustainable development can go hand in hand.

Through this guest lecture, UGM Tourism students were encouraged to see tourism not only as an economic activity but also as a responsibility to safeguard cultural heritage. The story of Safranbolu reminds us that sustainability in tourism is essential to protect history while ensuring benefits for local communities and future generations.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Monday, September 29, 2025 – The American Studies Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a Focused Writing Workshop on Monday, September 29, 2025, from 1:30 to 3:30 PM (WIB) via Zoom Meeting. The workshop was led by Dr. Ashika Prajnya Paramita, M.A. and attended by undergraduate, master’s, doctoral students, as well as staff members of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences.

The workshop was designed to provide a supportive writing community where participants could focus on completing various academic projects, ranging from theses, articles, assignments, to research papers. Through this shared writing space, participants were encouraged to set clear writing goals, stay motivated, and engage in productive writing through structured sprints.

The workshop format consisted of two writing sessions, each lasting 40 minutes with a 10-minute break in between. In addition to the writing sessions, Dr. Ashika also facilitated discussions on the challenges faced by participants in their writing process and offered reviews of their works.

This activity is planned to be held regularly every month, serving as a sustainable platform to foster productive writing habits within the academic community of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, September 26, 2025 – The Archaeology Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), held the “UGM Archaeology Talkshow X Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.” The event took place in a hybrid format—offline at Soegondo Building, 7th floor (Room 709), and online via Zoom Meeting—featuring the overarching theme of maritime archaeology and Underwater Cultural Heritage (BMKT).

The talkshow presented three speakers from different fields. The first was Widya Nayati, M.A., Ph.D., from the Department of Archaeology UGM, who delivered a presentation titled “Ports: Centers of Commodity Exchange or Centers of Cultural Exchange?” highlighting the role of ports throughout history and their significance in cultural interactions. Next, Frista Yorhanita, S.Si., M.Si., Director of Marine Resources at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, discussed “BMKT: Marine Resources in Policy Perspective”, emphasizing the importance of sustainable marine resource governance. Meanwhile, from the Faculty of Law UGM, Dr. Jur. Any Andjarwati, S.H., M. Jur., presented “Legal Studies on BMKT”, addressing regulatory aspects and legal protection in the utilization of BMKT.

Following the presentations, the event continued with an interactive discussion session that allowed participants to deepen their insights on maritime archaeology, policy perspectives, and legal regulations supporting the preservation of BMKT. The talkshow concluded with a group photo session.

This activity not only served as an academic platform that brought together perspectives from archaeology, marine sciences, and law, but also underscored the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in preserving Indonesia’s maritime heritage.

In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the event supported SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, by emphasizing the preservation of maritime heritage alongside the sustainable use of marine resources. In addition, the talkshow also contributed to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions through the strengthening of transparent legal regulations that prioritize public interests.

[Public Relation of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, September 11, 2025 – Students of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), took part in an Interfaith Prayer event held at UGM Religious Facilities, Jalan Podocarpus I, Sendowo, Sleman. Carrying the theme “Ruwat Bumi: Manunggaling Manah Kagem Rahayuning Nagari” (Purifying the Earth: Uniting Hearts for the Prosperity of the Nation), the event became a space of togetherness to pray for peace in Indonesia amidst a tense social and political climate.

The event was attended by interfaith leaders: Romo Prasetyo representing Hinduism, Reverend Risang Anggoro Elliarso representing Christianity, Romo Pasadhi Lan Pasani representing Buddhism, and Joko Purwono representing Islam. Each took turns leading the prayers in solemnity, accompanied by the symbolic lighting of candles by the participants.

The program began with opening remarks from the committee, followed by joint prayers, a discussion session (sarasehan), and a communal meal in a warm and friendly atmosphere. In addition to the UGM academic community, the event also involved local residents and representatives from the Yogyakarta Palace (Kraton).

From FIB UGM, two students—Bernadetta Rahayuning Tyas (Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture 2023) and I Putu Purnama Wisnu Aji (History 2023)—served as part of the Logistics Division, ensuring the smooth running of technical needs, from venue arrangements and sound system setup to other logistical preparations.

Bernadetta shared her positive impression of joining the event:

“It was a pleasant experience to take part in this activity, as I could interact with friends from different faiths. In response to the current tense situation, it is not only about voicing concerns through stories on social media but also through shared prayers. Our differences in faith do not prevent us from praying for and strengthening one another. My hope is that there will be no more bloodshed, and that the government will wisely use its authority by enacting policies that truly serve the people’s welfare,” she expressed.

This event stemmed from concerns over national incidents in late August 2025, when student demonstrations in Jakarta and Yogyakarta ended in violence, casualties, and damage to public facilities. The interfaith prayer gathering at UGM was initiated as an effort to unite hearts in maintaining peace, fostering solidarity, and reminding the government of its role as a servant of the people.

Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this activity reflects a commitment to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Through interfaith prayer, UGM’s academic community and the public demonstrate tangible efforts to strengthen peace, prevent conflict, and nurture inclusive dialogue spaces amidst diversity.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, September 19, 2025– The vibrant atmosphere filled the Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas (GIK) UGM as the Gamarupa Art Exhibition took place from September 14–20, 2025. Organized by the UGM Fine Arts Unit, the exhibition became a platform for artistic appreciation and a stage for students from various faculties, including those from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM, to present their works.

One of the highlights was “One Thousand and Wish” by Claudius Genesius Hartoko, a student from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, FIB UGM. The artwork tells the story of Sadako Sasaki, a 12-year-old girl who suffered from leukemia caused by the Hiroshima bombing. Inspired by the legend of a thousand paper cranes, Claudius’ piece symbolizes resilience and hope in the face of hardship.

In addition to Claudius, several other FIB UGM students contributed their creative works to the exhibition, including Marinie Alina Fadila, Nisa Safira, Devina Hanin Natasyha, H. D. Putri, Wanita Perkasa Bijaksana, Hida Cintia Putri Nugroho, Sabrina Azmi Shafa Az Zahro, and Rania Adawia Yasin. Their presence enriched the exhibition and demonstrated how humanities students can merge cultural insight with visual art to convey powerful messages.

Throughout the week-long event, visitors not only enjoyed the displayed artworks but also engaged in a series of activities such as the opening ceremony, talk shows, artwork discussions, workshops, and collaborative drawing sessions. The open-for-public event attracted enthusiastic audiences and created an interactive space between artists, students, and the community.

The exhibition highlights that FIB UGM students are not only focused on studying culture, language, and history but are also capable of expressing ideas through visual art. Their participation reflects the creative spirit of FIB UGM and its meaningful contribution to the public sphere.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]