After successfully becoming the Princess Cultural Ambassador of Yogyakarta 2024, Kintan Dewinta Putri, a student of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program class of 2022, continued her struggle by representing the Special Region of Yogyakarta in the Indonesian Cultural Ambassador 2024 event. The search for the 2024 Indonesian Cultural Ambassador was held on September 19-21, 2024 in the city of Surabaya, East Java. 

During the four-day event, Kintan received a lot of training and workshops such as how to build personal branding and material about skin health. Many activities were carried out by Kintan together with other Cultural Ambassadors from various regions, ranging from photoshoots to city tours. “I was feeling down and overthinking not being able to bring the title, but Alhamdulillah, I was still given the trust as the 1st Runner Up of the 2024 Indonesian Cultural Ambassador,” said Kintan regarding her impression.

Kintan Dewinta Putri wearing a typical Yogyakarta Besiyaran outfit

Kintan’s experiences and achievements are expected to be a motivation for students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program, and be able to benefit the people around both now and in the future. Kintan conveyed a message that all young people should not be ashamed to start something because success must also begin with effort. Kintan added hope that the big family of Indonesian Cultural Ambassadors will be closer, maintained solidarity and unity among the diversity of Indonesian culture. 

Kintan’s steps as Yogyakarta Cultural Ambassador 2024 and 1st Runner Up Indonesian Cultural Ambassador 2024 should be an example for students and the general public regarding the role of preserving local culture. Not only Cultural Ambassadors have a duty to preserve culture, but it is an obligation for all levels of society. Increasing tolerance and strengthening unity can start as a good first step.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Science UGM, Sandya Kirani]

In the midst of a busy academic routine, a number of students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program have made extraordinary achievements in the non-academic field. They are members of a band called Band Wangoen which has recently stolen a lot of attention with its keroncong genre. The band, which consists of 7 students, has shown dedication, creativity, and a high spirit of teamwork. Band Wangoen means “to be appropriate (in terms of goodness)” it is hoped that with this name Band Wangoen can entertain with wangun in every performance.

At one of Gadjah Mada University’s events, Integrated Career Days held in November, Band Wangoen managed to present a beautiful performance. Performing pop songs with keroncong arrangements made them appear different from the others. This achievement not only shows their talent, but also their ability to manage time well between studies and non-academic activities.

“Actually, we all have busy schedules, but making music and being an artist is a fun thing to do. We learn to manage our time well, take advantage of every opportunity to practice, and stay focused on our academic assignments,” said Amtenaring Gulang, the cak’s player and student of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program class of 2022 who initiated the formation of the band, adding that it was not easy to find group members who had an interest in keroncong music and were talented to play and sing Javanese songs.

The keroncong genre and Javanese songs performed also show the role of Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program students in preserving Javanese culture. Keroncong music and Javanese songs are rare to be heard by the current generation, it is fitting to preserve and introduce them so that their existence does not decline. One of the Javanese dolanan songs was also performed on stage, entitled “Gethuk” the song was sung beautifully by the vocalist Dian Patmisari. Tembang dolanan has an important role in Javanese society, especially for children, indirectly the content of dolanan songs contains moral and life values that can be a teaching of character building.

Wangoen Band performance in Integrated Career Days event

Apart from performing at Integrated Career Days 2024, Band Wangoen also had the opportunity to perform 8 songs at the Malam Alumni event as a series of Nitilaku 2024, namely the 75th Anniversary of Universitas Gadjah Mada and the 15th lustrum. This time, Band Wangoen invited Lala Atila, a sinden, singer, and student of the Language, Literature and Culture Study Program class of 2021 as a vocalist. Lala Atila’s melodious voice managed to create an intimate atmosphere among the alumni of Universitas Gadjah Mada who were present. The event, which was also attended by Basuki Hadimuljono, Head of the 2nd Nusantara Capital Authority, went smoothly with the warm accompaniment of keroncong music by the Wangoen Band.

Wangoen Band’s performance at Alumni Night 2024

The success of Band Wangoen also shows the importance of balance between academic and non-academic activities. The band members proved that with good time management, they can excel not only in the classroom but also outside the classroom. It is hoped that their success will become an example for all students to be more active in exploring their potential in various fields. With increasingly steady steps, Band Wangoen shows that the world of lectures is not only a place to gain knowledge, but also a place to develop talents and achieve success in various aspects of life.

[Public Relation FIB UGM, Editor: Sandya Kirani]

Abhiseka kramasisya is an annual event organized by the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program to inaugurate new students of the Javanese Literature Study Program. In 2024, Abhiseka Kramasisya was held in 2 days, on October 19-20, 2024 with 45 new students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program participating. Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024 used the theme “Sedya, Darma, Guna” each word in the theme has its own sentence which means very deep and is expected to be in accordance with the new students who will be inaugurated.

“Sedya” in Sedya Tuhu Gayuh Widya means the full intention to reach knowledge. “Darma” in Darma Bekti Kang Utama means goodness that is prioritized. “Guna” in the sentence Guna Mring Nuswantara means useful for the country, nation, and all of Nusantara. With the formation of this philosophical theme, it is hoped that new students will always absorb the meaning so that they can carry out the “Sedya, Darma, Guna” and be able to preserve the noble values of Javanese culture and maintain the existence of culture in the Nusantara, especially Javanese culture.

Before the day of Abhiseka Kramasisya, all committees and participants conducted a First Gathering which was intended to establish good communication between the committee and participants. The First Gathering which was held on September 8, 2024 became a place for bonding and getting to know each other.

On September 21, 2024 a Technical Meeting was held to explain the technical implementation of the D-day of Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024. With the aim of introducing a little Javanese knowledge, all new students were divided into 4 groups with the names Damarwulan, Centhini, Wedharaga, and Ambiya. The naming of these groups comes from the names of manuscripts in Java. The Technical Meeting also explained some of the technical implementation of the entire series of Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024.

The first day of Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024 was held in the Auditorium of Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada with a series of symbolic opening events with “Asa Lokatara”. A box containing balloons that will fly a piece of cloth with the inscription Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024. Asa Lokatara means a dream that flies high, a prayer for all new students so that their dreams can be achieved. Asa Lokatara was opened by Dr. Daru Winarti M.Hum, as the Head of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program and accompanied by Zidna Nabila as the Chief of Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024.

“Asa Lokatara” symbolic opening of Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024

After the symbolic opening, the event continued with the introduction of the study program which was filled by several representatives of the lecturers. Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024 also invited alumnus as talk show speakers. One of the speakers presented was Rizky Inggar who plunged into the entertainment world and had several programs on television such as Main Hakim Sendiri and Rumah Bulekkk. The speaker conveyed the career he had gone through, aiming to motivate new students to have the enthusiasm to carry out education and find their talent interests. Entering the last part of Abhiseka Kramasisya on the first day, closed by Gilang Cahya Nusantara as the Head of the KAMASTAWA Association presenting material on the introduction of the Department Student Association (Himpunan Mahasiswa Jurusan) which will later be followed by new students.

Study program seminar by several lecturers

The second day of the Abhiseka Kramasisya series was held in the hallway of the Margono Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The rainy conditions made the committee have to think of ways to keep the event running smoothly. The plan for “Lelaya Wiyata” or cultural exploration had to be replaced with a quiz between groups. There were several changes to the plan. However, everything went smoothly. The event continued with the movement of all participants and committees to Pusaka Jawa (Javanese Studies Center) located on Jl. Bungur, Bulaksumur No. F9 to continue the Siraman inauguration procession. The Siraman procession is the main part of the Abhiseka Kramasisya. The procession was led by lecturer representative Dr. Sulistyowati, M.Hum. accompanied by the Head of the KAMASTAWA. With the implementation of the Siraman procession, participants have officially become part of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program Family. All participants also received the corsa of the Javanese Literature Student Family Department Student Association.

The event was closed with an art performance by Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024 participants. Participants displayed the creativity of each group performing dances, songs, dramas, and so on. This session was lively, warm, and showed the kinship of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program. The end of the art performance was followed by the symbolic closing of “Abinawa Prasraya” in the form of a door that can rotate 180 degrees showing the acceptance of new students adding color to the Language, Literature and Culture Study Program.

The series of Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024, expects new students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program to love local cultural products, especially Javanese culture, and to preserve them. Students who have been confirmed are expected to develop and improve educational, research, and community service activities so as to create superior, outstanding, and dignified student characters.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Science, Editor: Sandya Kirani]

On Thursday, December 19, 2024, Mandala Majapahit, managed by the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), received a visit from the Faculty of Engineering, Parahyangan Catholic University. This visit was part of the Architectural Heritage and Restoration Study activities involving a supervisor and ten students.

The lecturer was Dr. Rahadhian Prajudi Herwindo, IAI, who together with the students aimed to deepen their understanding of cultural heritage architecture and restoration techniques applied at Mandala Majapahit.

The activity began in the afternoon with an introductory session hosted by Dra. D.S. Nugrahani, M.A., an expert from the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts UGM. In the session, participants gained in-depth insight into the history and value of Mandala Majapahit architecture, including the preservation efforts made to maintain its authenticity and sustainability.

This activity not only provides educational benefits for participants, but also strengthens collaboration between Parahyangan Catholic University and UGM, especially in the field of architectural studies and cultural heritage preservation. 

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) held a release ceremony for staffing education personnel, Mr. Suwanto, on Monday, December 30, 2024. The event took place solemnly in the Auditorium of Building R. Soegondo 709 from 09.00 to 12.00 WIB.

The event began with remarks from representatives of faculty leaders, who expressed their gratitude for Mr. Suwanto’s dedication over the years. In his speech, the Dean of FIB UGM appreciated his contribution and hard work that had supported various faculty programs with full responsibility.

Furthermore, an emotional atmosphere was felt when Mr. Suwanto gave his parting words. He expressed his gratitude and happiness for the opportunity he had been given to be part of the big family of FIB UGM.

The event continued with the handover of mementos as a form of respect and appreciation for Mr. Suwanto’s service. The presentation was made by representatives of the education staff and faculty leaders.

The event ended with a group photo and social gathering, where all participants offered their prayers and best wishes for Mr. Suwanto’s next journey in life. The ceremony was an important moment to commemorate Mr. Suwanto’s service as well as to strengthen family ties within the Faculty.