Yogyakarta, June 19, 2025 – The Department of Cultural Anthropology at Universitas Gadjah Mada held a heartfelt retirement ceremony for Dr. G.R. Lono Lastoro Simatupang, M.A., a distinguished academic whose career has profoundly shaped the landscape of education and cultural studies in Indonesia. The event served as a moment of appreciation and reflection on a journey marked by dedication, critical thinking, and cultural advocacy.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of a commemorative book consisting of thirty essays contributed by Dr. Lono’s colleagues and students. These writings represent a tapestry of reflections, thoughts, and shared experiences, serving as both an intellectual tribute and an emotional homage to his enduring influence.

The ceremony also featured artistic performances from students and faculty members, adding a vibrant and celebratory tone to the evening. The first performance—a dangdut remix song performed by students—paid tribute to Dr. Lono’s pioneering work in elevating dangdut as a serious subject of academic inquiry. For him, dangdut was not merely entertainment but a habitus—a cultural form that embodies the joys and struggles of everyday life.

“Dangdut is all about broken huts, sharing one plate of food, poverty… but it’s danced to, not cried over,” he remarked during the talk show segment.

In the same session, Dr. Lono shared insights into his early days as a lecturer and his involvement in a national NGO in Semarang in 1986. There, he led a community empowerment program through urban microfinance, a grassroots initiative that enhanced the economic resilience of urban communities. His work directly aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

The final and closing act of the event was a dramatic performance of Reog Ponorogo, collaboratively staged by students and lecturers. The performance revisited Dr. Lono’s in-depth research on this traditional art form within the framework of performance anthropology. This act was not just symbolic, but a living embodiment of the cultural practices he explored, taught, and preserved throughout his academic career.

Beyond the performances, Dr. Lono’s commitment to bringing popular culture—such as dangdut and reog—into academic spaces illustrates his advocacy for contextual and critical education. His approach embodies the spirit of SDG 4: Quality Education, promoting inclusive, relevant, and culturally responsive learning systems.

Alumni from the class of 1995 also attended the event, presenting a symbolic gift through their representative, Ani Himawati. This gesture reflected the deep emotional connection shared between Dr. Lono and generations of students he mentored and inspired.

Dr. Lono’s retirement does not mark the end of his contributions but rather a continuation of his intellectual legacy. His work lives on not only in academic texts but also in music, folklore, and the everyday stories he transformed into meaningful knowledge. His legacy will continue to inspire critical awareness and cultural sensitivity for years to come.

[Public Relation of FIB, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, June 17, 2025 – Fourth- and sixth-semester undergraduate students of the Archaeology Program held an exhibition across various corners of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. This exhibition was organized as part of their final semester assignment (UAS), with each group presenting a different theme. One of the highlighted themes was “The Lifestyle of UGM Students Through the Ages,” which described the daily lives of UGM students and how they have changed over time.

The everyday life of students has shaped a unique lifestyle, influenced by technological advancements. From food choices to how meals are stored and carried, such as lunchboxes, to the evolution of fashion trends among students and the shift in study habits from handwriting to typing—all of these reflect the dynamics of student life.

Another group presented the theme “Reading Pop Culture: Its Influence on UGM Students’ Lifestyle and Identity.” Pop culture has become an inseparable part of students’ daily lives. Through digital media, music, film, fashion, and fandom practices, pop culture has created unique communities. Within the campus dynamic, this culture continues to shape students’ identities through the encounter between local values and global currents.

The exhibition attracted many visitors. It provided students the opportunity to showcase their research and creativity while raising awareness about the importance of education in understanding cultural dynamics.

In this exhibition, each group displayed unique objects and explained each item. This practical approach not only made the exhibition more enjoyable but also emphasized the importance of experiential learning in education, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to quality education.

The students expressed that the exhibition was a valuable experience that enhanced their understanding of archaeology and cultural studies. They highlighted the importance of collaboration and teamwork in preparing the exhibition, which helped them develop essential skills for their future careers.

Their hard work and creativity underscored the importance of such exhibitions in fostering critical thinking and cultural awareness among students. They encouraged more initiatives like this to promote a deeper understanding of the relationship between education and cultural identity.

Overall, the exhibition was a resounding success, showcasing the creativity and dedication of UGM archaeology students while contributing to a broader discourse on education and cultural identity.

[Public Relations of FIB, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, June 23, 2025 — The Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a public lecture titled “Childism and the Defamiliarization of Language in Ziggy Zezsyazeoviennazabrizkie’s Works.” The event was conducted both offline and online, featuring renowned writer Ziggy Zezsyazeoviennazabrizkie as the main speaker, with Narayda Akmal as the discussant and Ruhaeni Intan as the moderator.

The lecture opened with a presentation by Narayda Akmal, who reviewed several of Ziggy’s works, including di Tanah Lada, Kita Pergi Hari Ini, and Semua Ikan di Langit. She highlighted how these works reflect the spirit of childism, a perspective that provides agency to children in a world that often neglects their voices and experiences. Ziggy’s language was seen as unique and unconventional, creating a distance from common linguistic norms while revealing the complexity of childhood.

Through her writings, Ziggy seeks to challenge the traditional view of children as passive beings. On the contrary, she presents children as active figures responding to harsh social realities. The linguistic strategies in her works are not mere playfulness, but serve as a medium to raise issues such as poverty, inequality, and alienation within the domestic space.

In the novel di Tanah Lada, for instance, the experiences of children facing urban poverty are portrayed sharply. The home is no longer a place of refuge but a source of suffering. Ziggy depicts simplicity through the eyes of children trapped in the misunderstanding of adults—a condition that often leads to emotional neglect and miscommunication.

Meanwhile, Semua Ikan di Langit combines elements of fantasy, science fiction, fairy tales, and mythology. The road novel format adopted in this book allows readers to follow the imaginative journey of the main character, while also accessing layers of meaning that challenge conventional ways of understanding childhood.

Moderator Ruhaeni Intan added a perspective on the importance of space for writers to store and process their ideas. She used the metaphor of a suitcase full of thoughts waiting to be unpacked to emphasize the creative process, which is inseparable from the role of the literary community. In this process, writers do not work alone but are connected with publishers, readers, and researchers who appreciate and develop literary studies.

The event concluded with an interactive discussion session and a group photo. Participants actively asked questions regarding the implications of childism in literature and its impact on social life. This discussion reinforced the importance of basic literacy skills and critical education in understanding the complex realities of childhood.

In conclusion, the lecture provided significant insights into the representation of children in literature. Beyond enriching academic discourse, this event also supported the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on quality education and Goal 10 on reducing inequality through the empowerment of children’s perspectives.

[Public Relation, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 12/06/2025 – The Department of Anthropology held a dissertation proposal seminar on June 12, 2025, featuring Tri Isnani’s research titled “The Existence of the Brandu Tradition Amid the Anthrax Outbreak in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY).”

The brandu tradition is a community-based fundraising practice in which local residents collectively contribute money to ease the financial burden of livestock owners whose animals are either sick or have died. Livestock holds deep cultural and economic significance for the community. The term brandu originates from minterke anak—meaning “to support a child”—highlighting the role of animals such as cows and goats as a form of savings, often used to finance children’s education, weddings, and traditional ceremonies such as rasulan, ingkung sewu, nyumbang, and others.

However, Isnani noted growing public concern over the anthrax outbreak, which has become a serious public health crisis in the region. The issue has drawn the attention of not only the public but also government bodies and health agencies. In response, Isnani proposed a deeper investigation through the lens of medical anthropology.

Prof. Dr. Atik Triratnawati, M.A., as Isnani’s main supervisor, and Dr. M. Choirul Hidajat, SKM., M.Kes., both emphasized the need for anthropological research grounded in an emic perspective, employing ethnographic methods in the formulation of health-related programs and policies. They stressed that such an approach is crucial for effective disease control under the “One Health” framework—a multidisciplinary strategy encompassing both prevention and treatment.

The seminar also featured Dr. Elan A. Lazuardi, a faculty member in the Department of Anthropology with a focus on health studies. He underlined the importance of researcher positionality in fieldwork. Additional discussants—Ahriyadi Sofyan, Rizqi R., Ayu F., and Dyah Ayu—offered constructive feedback to help strengthen Isnani’s research. The event was also attended by students from the Master’s and Doctoral programs in Anthropology, as well as from the Doctoral Program in Humanities.

In closing, Prof. Dr. Atik Triratnawati reminded participants that doctoral research should arrive at a philosophical understanding rooted in community values—specifically, exploring the deeper meaning behind the brandu tradition. Once such a philosophy is grasped, it can shape the direction of the research more profoundly.

Furthermore, Dr. M. Choirul Hidajat, a researcher at BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency), highlighted the relevance of anthropological perspectives in medical studies. He emphasized that the novelty of such research lies in anthropology’s ability to interpret health phenomena in culturally grounded ways. “This is crucial,” he said. “Perhaps the true contribution of this study is its potential to offer input into health programs that empower, rather than intimidate, the community—ultimately supporting inclusive program development.”

[Cultural Anthropology, Dewi Widyastuti]

Yogyakarta, 17/6/2025 – The Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences—Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si.—welcomed the delegation from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Padjadjaran University, during the benchmarking visit of FISIP Unpad to the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM). The event was held offline at the Margono Building, FIB UGM, in an atmosphere full of collaborative spirit and kinship.

This benchmarking activity was attended directly by the Dean of FISIP Unpad—Prof. Dr. Mohammad Benny Alexandri, S.E., M.M.—along with his entourage and warmly received by the Dean and Vice Deans of FIB UGM.

In his remarks, the Dean of FIB UGM presented various strategic programs currently being implemented by the faculty, including INCULS (Indonesian Culture and Language Program for Foreign Learners), one of FIB UGM’s initiatives in internationalization and in promoting the Indonesian language and culture to the world.

The Dean of FIB UGM also explained that the faculty offers complementary courses to fulfill students’ credit requirements, including practice-based courses such as soft skills and cultural practices. These are designed not only to enhance students’ theoretical understanding but also to develop their practical skills in the field.

On the same occasion, he also mentioned that an academic event from one of FIB UGM’s study programs—the Archaeology Exhibition—was being held as part of the learning program.

Furthermore, the discussion also touched upon the partnerships and cooperation networks that FIB UGM has established with various international universities. These networks continue to expand through mobility programs, student exchanges, collaborative research, and programs for teaching the Indonesian language and culture to foreign speakers.

The benchmarking visit concluded with a warm discussion and exchange of ideas between the two institutions, with the hope of opening up new opportunities to improve the quality of education within the faculties.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]