On October 1, 2024, the Folklore Class of the Cultural Anthropology Undergraduate Study Program, Department of Anthropology held a cultural workshop by inviting a guest lecturer. This Folklore class was taught by Dr. G.R. Lono Lastoro Simatupang, M.A. and Mubarika D.F.N, M.A. and what attracted the attention of the students this workshop discussed the Polonez Dance. The dance is an intangible cultural heritage from Poland. The material was delivered by Dr. Marzanna Popławska from the University of Warszawa, Poland. The workshop successfully highlighted the specialty of Polish performing arts and showed how intangible cultural heritage can optimize its role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The opening began with a warm welcome from Dr. Marzanna Popławska in Polish, “dzień dobry,” or “good morning” in Indonesian. The atmosphere immediately became intimate with the enthusiasm of the participants who wanted to learn more about the history and meaning of the Polonez Dance. Dr. Marzanna Popławska has been researching cultural heritage both in Poland and in other countries for more than 10 years, and has experience in studying the development of cultural heritage in Indonesia, which further enriched the discussion during the event.

The history and meaning of the Polonez or Polonaise Dance comes from the French “polish” which means “from Poland”, so this dance is one of the famous traditional dances from Poland. Its history can be traced to the Middle Ages and Renaissance with the name Polonaise becoming widely known in the 18th century. Dr. Popławska explained that Polonez is a very important intangible cultural heritage for Poland, being a symbol of nationality, honor, and unity. In 2015, Polonez Dance was recognized as Poland’s national dance alongside four other traditional dances. In 2019, Polonez was listed as one of the elements of Poland’s intangible cultural heritage and in 2023 Polonez Dance was officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Polonez is a unique dance because it harmonizes performing arts with aspects of anthropology and folklore. This dance is not just a tradition or ritual, but a living and dynamic culture in Polish society. Polonez is also often performed at various state and ceremonial events, with costumes varying depending on the region of origin of the dancers. In Kraków, for example, dancers wear royal costumes and traditional clothes that reflect the nuances of Polish history.

In relation to the SDGs, Dr. Marzanna Popławska also emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage such as Polonez Dance in a global context, especially in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, Polonez Dance contributes to the achievement of SDG 11, namely “Sustainable Cities and Communities”, which aims to protect and maintain the world’s cultural heritage as part of the sustainability of communities and cities. Polonez Dance as an intangible cultural heritage has a vital role in maintaining the cultural identity of a nation while promoting togetherness, equality and harmony in its society. With its characteristic slow movements, Polonez Dance has signaled the values of honor, cooperation, and unity needed in the era of globalization. This is also in line with SDG 4, namely “Quality Education”, where the preservation of traditional culture provides a rich education about history and cultural identity to the younger generation, both at home and abroad.

In conclusion, this workshop not only successfully introduced the beauty and depth of meaning of Polonez Dance to the participants, but also showed how intangible cultural heritage can contribute to the achievement of sustainable global development goals. Through Polonez Dance, people can learn about the importance of appreciating cultural diversity and promoting universal values such as unity, honor, and peace.

The event was closed with an interactive Q&A session, where participants had the opportunity to ask more about Dr. Marzanna Popławska’s experience in researching intangible cultural heritage in various countries, as well as how Polonez Dance can continue to be preserved in the midst of modernization and changing times. This workshop inspired the participants to continue preserving and promoting their own cultural heritage, while supporting the achievement of the SDGs through education, cultural preservation, and international collaboration.

Muhammad Lodhi Firmansyah
Photo: Puspita Nindya Sari
Translator: Sandya Kirani

On 2nd of October 2024, at Soegondo Building Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) was honored to receive a visit from students of SMAN 2 Kuta Selatan. This activity aims to provide insight into the excellence of FIB UGM and explain the career prospects for graduates.

In the event, representatives of undergraduate and postgraduate students of FIB UGM shared their experiences and reasons why they chose this faculty. Aisyah Riska, a graduate student majoring in Linguistics, revealed that her initial interest came from the many renowned linguistic experts who teach at the Faculty. “This faculty has experienced and well-known lecturers in their fields, which is certainly an added value for us as students,” said Aisyah.

Meanwhile, Sandya Kirani, an undergraduate student from Anthropology department, added that the Faculty is ranked first in Indonesia and around 50th in the world. “I feel proud to be able to study at this highly reputable faculty. This is an important consideration for me in choosing a major,” she explained.

The event also discussed job prospects for graduates of FIB UGM. Many alumni have successfully pursued careers as ambassadors, translators, lecturers, and CEOs in the tourism sector. This shows that education at FIB UGM is not only qualified, but also relevant to the needs of the current world of work.

In the context of international cooperation, FIB UGM also establishes partnerships with various institutions abroad. This cooperation includes student exchange programs, joint research, and international seminars, which certainly enrich students’ learning experience. Hopefully, this visit can provide inspiration and motivation for them in determining their next educational steps.

Yogyakarta, October 1, 2024 – SMAN 4 Malang held a visit to the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Monday, October 1, 2024, from 09.00 to 11.00 WIB. This activity took place in the Auditorium of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, 7th floor of Soegondo Building, Yogyakarta, and was attended by hundreds of 12th grade students who were enthusiastic to dig deeper information about higher education, especially in the field of cultural sciences.

The event began with opening remarks from representatives of SMAN 4 Malang teachers, who conveyed the purpose and objectives of their visit. After these remarks, the Faculty provided an overview of the study programs and various academic activities. The students were very interested in the explanation of study opportunities at UGM, which is one of the leading universities in Indonesia.

In the question and answer session, the students asked various questions that showed their interest and desire to continue their education. One of the questions that arose was about new student admission pathways, especially academic and non-academic achievement pathways. The faculty explained that there are several pathways that students can follow, including the achievement pathway which provides opportunities for those who have excellence in certain fields.

Students also asked about the availability of scholarships at UGM. Known for its diverse scholarship programs, the Faculty of Humanities ensures that there are many options for outstanding students and those in need of financial support. The next question related to the Single Tuition Payment (UKT) was also highlighted. The faculty explained that UGM applies a fair UKT system, based on the economic ability of students and their families. 

The event was closed with advice from SMAN 4 Malang alumni who are now studying at UGM. The alumni shared valuable experiences about life on campus, challenges faced, and tips for achieving success in college. His inspiring story provided additional motivation for the students to pursue their dreams. With this visit, it is hoped that students of SMAN 4 Malang can better understand the steps that need to be taken to continue their education in college, and achieve the dreams they dream of.

As a form of community service, the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Student Association (Kamastawa) held another “Kamastawa Teaching and Sharing” event on Sunday, October 22, 2024. This event is the result of collaboration between the social and community division (sosmas) and the scientific division, with the aim of having a positive impact on society, especially for children at the Wirobrajan branch of the PYI Yatim and Zakat Orphanage, Yogyakarta.

There were 16 children from grade 1 elementary to 1 junior high school involved in the event. The event opened at 09.00 AM WIB with an opening session and introductions. During the event, students and children had the opportunity to play together, creating a cheerful atmosphere with jokes and laughter. This togetherness became an important foundation in building intimacy between students and participants.

Opening session and introductions

After the introductory session and games, the event continued with teaching and learning activities. Participants were divided into three groups according to educational level: group 1 for grades 1-2 elementary school, group 2 for grades 3-4 elementary school, and group 3 for grades 5 elementary school to 1 junior high school. Each group received materials tailored to their age and level of understanding, ranging from daily Javanese conversation, Javanese script writing, Javanese assignment consultation, and so on. Various teaching methods were used by the students to make learning fun and easy for the children to understand.

Teaching-learning session

After the learning session was over, it was time for ice breaking, where the participants were invited to sing together the song aja ndomblong aja and follow the guessing game with prizes. This session succeeded in sparking the children to be active in an exciting way.

The children’s enthusiasm could be felt from the beginning to the end of the activity, especially during the distribution of small gifts as an appreciation for the participants’ activeness. In addition, Kamastawa also provided Pepak Basa Jawa books and reading books as a form of support for the participants future educational development. It is hoped that participants can easily access knowledge and enrich their insights, including those related to knowledge and preservation of Javanese culture.

The gifts given may be considered simple. However, prayers, hopes, and sincere intentions to share will live on and become the foundation in the implementation of the ‘Kamastawa teach and share’ program now and in the future.

Author : Haryo Untoro

Saturday and Sunday, September 14 and 15, 2024 – UGM Korean Language Student Association held a Fellowship Training event with the theme “빚나는 꿈” which means “Shining dreams”. The Fellowship Training event was held for two days in Lecture Room 707 Soegondo, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM and in Greenland Margono Courtyard. This event was attended by students of Korean Language and Culture Class of 2023 and Class of 2024.

On the first day, the series of Fellowship Training 2024 events were enlivened by Batch 22 students as guest speakers of the Talkshow session. Through this session, the seniors provided information about student exchange opportunities to South Korea and tips and tricks in taking the TOPIK exam. The new students were also able to learn more about the Korean Language and Culture study program at UGM. After the Talkshow session, the Fellowship Training 2024 event was also enlivened by various performances of new students of Batch 2024 which were very entertaining.

The Fellowship Training 2024 event continued on September 15, 2024. The second day of the event was enlivened by gymnastics together, Random Play Dance, and various exciting games such as glass tower, Hangeul writing, Hangeul relay, Telepathy game, Inmul quiz, Tuho Quiz, Tongue twister, and ended with Mystery box.

Fellowship Training 2024 is one of HIMAHARA’s work programs that aims to strengthen the sense of togetherness and introduce the Korean Language and Culture study program to new students of the Class of 2024. In addition, this activity can also be a means to get information about opportunities that can be utilized in the future, as well as creating a good community in supporting lectures.

For more information, please access HIMAHARA’s Instagram account @himaharaugm.

Author: HIMAHARA/Candy Valerie
Editor: Sena Valin