Yogyakarta, 26/3/2025 – Amidst the vibrant celebrations of Indonesia’s Independence Day, an inspiring achievement emerges from the literary world. Nur Fitrianti Aspany, an alumna of the Master’s Program in Literature, has been selected as one of the seven chosen writers in the prestigious Emerging Writers program at the Makassar International Writers Festival (MIWF) 2025, themed “Land and Hand.”

MIWF 2025, set to take place from May 29 to June 1, carries the theme “Land and Hand” as a form of resistance against various acts of land appropriation, oppression, and environmental destruction that persist in different regions. This year, the festival’s visual artwork is created by Taufiqurrahman ‘Kifu,’ a multidisciplinary artist from Palu, Central Sulawesi.

As in previous years, MIWF provides an opportunity for writers to participate by submitting works in various forms, including poetry, short stories, novels, and literary criticism. This year, 256 applicants from diverse backgrounds submitted outstanding works in various genres. Out of these hundreds of submissions, only seven writers were selected, including Nur Fitrianti Aspany.

Nur Fitrianti captivated the jury with two of her works: a digital poem titled “Aporia dan Epiphany dalam Sebuah Puisi Digital“ and a printed poem titled “Tragedi yang Dibalut Serendipity.“ These works were born from her creative process under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Faruk, S.U., a distinguished cultural studies expert and professor at Gadjah Mada University.

Reflecting on her achievement, Nur Fitrianti admitted that she initially had doubts about participating, given the fierce competition. However, she remained consistent in her writing, which eventually led her to this valuable opportunity. “At first, I wasn’t sure. Compared to my peers, I wondered if I could compete in both fiction and non-fiction. But when this opportunity arose, I happened to have some works ready, and fortunately, I never stopped writing,” she said.

Nur Fitrianti Aspany’s accomplishment is a testament to how passion and perseverance in the creative process can yield remarkable results. Her success at MIWF 2025 is not only a proud moment for the Master’s Program in Literature but also an inspiration for the younger generation to continue creating and contributing to the literary world.

[Public Relations Master of Literature, Anisa Dien Rahmawati]

Yogyakarta, 15/3/2025 – The 4th International Seminar on Malay-Javanese Studies (SEMEJA) 2025 is jointly organized by the Institute of Nature and Malay Civilization (ATMA), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia with the Javanese Literature Study Program, Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), and the Department of Museum Malaysia (JMM). SEMEJA IV includes various components designed to foster meaningful dialogue, knowledge sharing, and strategic collaboration. The main focus is on how cultural heritage can contribute to community empowerment and regional unity.

The components of SEMEJA IV include:

• Keynote address by visiting scholar – Secretary-General, Ministry of National Unity.
• Paper presentation sessions among researchers, postgraduate students, Librarians/Curators/Archivists, government/private sector employees.
• Forums featuring experts in related fields.
• Poster presentations and exhibitions focusing on practical strategies in utilizing heritage for community empowerment.
• Visits to heritage sites that play a role in community empowerment.
• Featuring source person for studies of Malay-Javanese heritage

[Public Relations of Javanese Literature, Fega Achillea Maydena]

Yogyakarta, 28/2/2025 – During the 30th Temu Budaya Nusantara (TBN), a new Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture student from the 2024’s batch took part in the competition as a delegate and immediately came out on top! Who is the winner? Let’s take a peek at the story!

Ghibran Arsha Daffa’ Musaffa’ is the 3rd place winner of the Storytelling Competition held at the 30th TBN in 2024. Although Ghibran is a new student, this did not dampen his determination to compete in this national competition. Ghibran said that as soon as he heard that a national storytellers competition would be held and he could represent Universitas Gadjah Mada, he was immediately interested to join.

Initially, the theme he wanted to take was children’s games (dolanan anak). Ghibran had even arranged the storyline of the story in such a way. However, after consulting with an elementary school teacher in Yogyakarta, it turned out that the story was considered less relevant to youngster. The teacher finally suggested a romance theme, but it could be connected to culture. Finally, the theme chosen was jathilan. Ghibran stated that this story was inspired by the story of Dr. Inggar Bagus Wibisono. A doctor, jathilan dancer and an Keraton’s abdi dalem all at once. The synopsis of the story is as follows.

There are 2 college students who are dating named Joko and Wati. Wati is said to like things that have to do with culture and has the opinion that she must take part in preserving and maintaining culture, especially Yogyakarta culture. The peak of the conflict takes place in Malioboro where Joko finally finds out that Wati is a jathilan player. Here Joko represents the thoughts of the people who like to swallow the stigma about jathilan raw. However, Wati still chooses to break up with Joko and preserves the jathilan dance and becomes a skilled dancer, to the point of being nicknamed Nyai Rangga Wati.

However, there is a unique fact, namely that Ghibran is actually afraid of jathilan! Even now, when he hears the accompaniment of jathilan gamelan, he still feels nervous because in the past there was an incident where a jathilan dancer almost wanted to enter his house, hihihi. So the process of making this fairy tale is one of Ghibran’s ways to get out of his comfort zone. For the sake of this fairy tale, Ghibran was willing to observe and interview female jathilan figures.

Ghibran got a lot of things from this TBN XXX event. Ghibran is grateful because he became brave enough to try new things and put aside his fear. Ghibran also got new friends, even from Bali. Although at the beginning of the event Ghibran felt afraid, because of his father, Ghibran was convinced to try his best because winning or losing is a later matter.

From Ghibran we can learn that in order to achieve what we want, we must put in a lot of effort. In addition, as young people, Ghibran gives an example that we can create cultural-themed works and clear the negative stigma that has been attached to the culture. Finally, there is a message from Ghibran that young people should not be ashamed to preserve their own culture. Because if we don’t preserve it, who else will?

[Public Relation of Javanese Literature, Fega Achillea Maydena]

Yogyakarta, 28/2/2025 – Finally, the 2024 management period has ended! However, this does not mean that the journey of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Student Family Department (HMJ KAMASTAWA) has also ended. The transfer of positions event last Monday (February 24th, 2025) marked the birth of a new cabinet from HMJ KAMASTAWA. This cabinet consists of 6 core administrator members, 7 division heads, and 2 sub-division heads. Here is the latest formation of the HMJ KAMASTAWA management:

• Chairperson: Dwiyan Teguh Darmawan (NIM 23/519302/SA/22506)
• Deputy Chairperson: Fega Achillea Maydena (NIM 23/519618/22510)
• Secretary I: Bekti Rismawati (23/516569/SA/22318)
• Secretary II: Nurcholish Ramadhan (NIM 24/538281/SA/23048)
• Treasurer I: Nisrina Dyah Malini (NIM 23/521748/SA/22679)
• Treasurer II: Arfia Kholifatul Ummamah (NIM 24/543100/SA/23361)
  
• Head of PSDM Division: Pingky Putri Khairani (NIM 23/516628/SA/22326)
• Head of Medinfo Division: Talitha Ulayya Iskandar (NIM 23/519645/SA/22511)
• Head of Scientific Division: Meifira Arini Pitaloka (NIM 23/519246/SA/22498)
• Head of Entrepreneurship Division: Erlinda Azzahra Rahmadani (NIM 23/516700/SA/22334)
• Head of Social Division: Nadiffa Setya Nugraheni (NIM 23/522757/SA/22755)
• Head of PR Division: Alfi Nurmaliasari (NIM 23/520908/SA/22617)
• Head of Interest and Talent Division: Lakshita Pradnya Dayinta (NIM 23/516081/SA/22308)
• Sub-Head of Interest and Talent Division: Audrey Gizella Islamey (NIM 23/515221/SA/22254)
• Sub-Head of Interest and Talent Division: Muhammad Rizki Saputro (NIM 23/521240/SA/22647)
  

When inaugurated and officially held the responsibility, the advisor of HMJ KAMASTAWA, Mr. Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P, M.A., gave several important messages. One of them was the message that HMJ Manager students should not be fixated on routines alone. In addition, he also advised not to give in to the stigma that ‘Javanese people are lazy’. Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture students should actually be able to show the opposite, namely punctual, diligent, and hardworking.

In addition, Mrs. Dr. Dra. Daru Winarti, M.Hum. as the Head of the Study Program also gave advice that students must carry out their responsibilities with a happy heart. Because if the heart is happy, other people can see the peace within us.

The event ended with the signing of the minutes and the reading of the oath of office. Thus, the new HMJ KAMASTAWA management has been officially formed. Good luck with your duties!

[Public Relation of Javanese Literature, Fega Achillea Maydena]

Yogyakarta, 10/2/2025 – After conducting a series of registrations and member selection of the Students Association, finally on Monday, February 10th 2025, the Family of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Students (KAMASTAWA) held the first gathering for the new members of the association. This meeting was held in room 303 of the Margono Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences in the afternoon after the class was finished.

The purpose of this First Gathering is to familiarize all members of HMJ Kamastawa so that in the future they will have a good and close relationship with each other. Familiarity and personal closeness can also support the performance and cooperation between members in an organization.

The event began with an opening by the MC, then continued with the introduction of the division heads and their members. After that, each division briefly presented its work program. After all divisions presented their work program plans, the event continued with an exchange of gifts and simple games. This event can be said to have run smoothly and had a warm atmosphere because of the enthusiasm of the new members. And in this First Gathering, each division was also asked to wear a certain color to distinguish between one division and another.

The First Gathering was relaxed and fun because it involved a bonding process without seniority walls between the 2023 and 2024 classes. It is important to eliminate the sense of seniority to foster a sense of kinship. Ultimately, this sense of kinship will bring a comfortable and safe organizational atmosphere for all its members. It is hoped that with this activity, the work programs that will be held by HMJ Kamastawa in the future can run smoothly without significant obstacles. It is also hoped that the dynamics and cooperation between division members can flow without obstacles.

[Public Relation of Javanese Literature, Fega Achillea Maydena]