Yogyakarta, July 1, 2025 — The 4th International Seminar on Malay-Javanese Studies (SEMEJA) was officially held at UC Hotel, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), bringing together scholars from various institutions both domestically and internationally. One of the panel speakers contributing to the academic discussions was Dr. Fahmi Prihantoro, S.S., M.A., a lecturer from the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM.

In a session titled “How Did Islamic Religious Organizations Empower Society Through Cultural Heritage,” Dr. Fahmi presented a case study on Pasar Pasan in Kotagede, Yogyakarta. He elaborated on how cultural heritage preservation can become a dynamic tool for community empowerment, particularly through the involvement of Islamic organizations such as Muhammadiyah.

According to Dr. Fahmi, Kotagede is a living heritage site—a cultural heritage area that continues to be actively used in the daily lives of its community. Beyond preserving historical traces, this area serves as a space where cultural, religious, and economic values develop harmoniously.

A key point in his presentation highlighted a paradigm shift in heritage preservation—from being government-led to being increasingly driven by civil society and non-governmental organizations. Muhammadiyah, as one of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organizations, was cited as having taken an active role in community development rooted in cultural heritage in Kotagede.

Through the Pasar Pasan case study, Dr. Fahmi emphasized how this traditional market activity functions as a platform for residents to reinforce cultural identity while simultaneously enhancing the local economy. Pasar Pasan is seen as a community-led initiative that integrates cultural values with inclusive economic practices.

The discussion also addressed the importance of community engagement and collective memory in sustaining cultural heritage. The people of Kotagede are considered to possess a strong historical awareness, which supports the continued existence of heritage spaces—especially those located between the symbolic twin gates of Kotagede.

The session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment. Seminar participants raised insightful questions, which Dr. Fahmi responded to enthusiastically, underlining the significance of collaboration among communities, academics, and religious organizations in preserving cultural heritage.

This event plays a crucial role in supporting the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through community-based cultural heritage preservation, it contributes to the creation of inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements, in line with SDG 11. Furthermore, educational values are promoted through the cross-cultural dissemination of knowledge and the strengthening of cultural identity awareness, reflecting the aims of SDG 4 on quality education. Equally important, the seminar embodies the spirit of SDG 17 by fostering strategic partnerships between academia, civil society, and local communities in social development based on local wisdom.

Through this discussion, participants gained new insights into community-based cultural preservation and the vital role of religious organizations in fostering inclusive and sustainable social development.

[Public Relations FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 18/2/2025 – In a remarkable initiative to promote education and awareness about archaeology, the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) will hold the 7th Archaeology Festival on 18 to 20 February 2025. The annual event aims to engage the public and students in Indonesia’s rich history and cultural heritage.

The festival will take place at the Margono Djojohadikusumo Building, with exhibitions spread across the first and second floors. On the first floor, visitors will be presented with an exhibition showcasing prehistoric times in Indonesia, including various artefacts and relics from ancient times. The exhibition aims to educate visitors about the importance of Indonesia’s prehistoric past and its impact on the present.

Moving on to the second floor, the focus will shift to maritime archaeology, a field that has grown in importance in recent years. Here, visitors will learn about underwater archaeology, which involves the study of submerged sites and artefacts that have crossed oceans. Researchers in this field must have A1 to A3 certification, highlighting the specialised skills required to conduct underwater excavations safely and effectively.

In addition to the exhibitions, the festival will also feature various interactive activities designed to engage participants of all ages. One of the highlights will be pottery painting, where visitors can express their creativity and learn about traditional pottery-making techniques. This hands-on experience not only encourages artistic expression but also deepens understanding of the ancient craft. Another exciting activity is tying jewellery, a traditional craft that has been practised for centuries. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own jewellery while learning about the cultural significance of beads in various Indonesian communities. This activity emphasises the importance of preserving traditional crafts and passing them on to future generations. The festival will also include food and beverage tenants. This aspect of the event aims to create a festive atmosphere, encouraging visitors to relax and enjoy the festivities while learning about Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage.

Archaeological Festival #7 is not just an exhibition; it is a celebration of education, culture and community engagement. By bringing together students, researchers, and the general public, the event aims to foster a greater appreciation of archaeology and its role in understanding our past.

As part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the festival aligns with the goal of ensuring inclusive and quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. By educating the public about archaeology, the festival contributes to a more informed society that values its cultural heritage.

In conclusion, Festival Archeologi #7 at FIB UGM promises to be an enriching experience for all visitors. With a wide array of activities and exhibitions on offer, the festival serves as a platform for education and cultural exchange, inspiring future generations to explore the fascinating world of archaeology.

[Public Relations Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Bulan Churniati]

Yogyakarta, Thursday, November 28th, 2024. Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada through the Department of Archaeology UGM received a visit from Iwate University, Japan. The agenda of the visit is part of the exploration of cooperation plans between Iwate University and the UGM Department of Archaeology to discuss potential plans for educational visits next year at Gadjah Mada University, for Iwate University students. On this occasion, the Head of the UGM Department of Archaeology, Dr. Mahirta, MA, along with the Secretary of the Department, Drs. Musadad, M.Hum., and Archaeology UGM study programme lecturer, Dwi Pradnyawan, S.S., M.A., met with representatives from Iwate University, Anders Carlqvist, Associate Professor of Iwate University International Education Center and Hiroya Yaegashi from Chief Administrative Staff, Iwate University International Office, to discuss the possibility of giving lectures on archaeology to Iwate University students as part of the educational visit.

After the discussion session ended, the group of Iwate University and the UGM Department of Archaeology took a group photo. They were also invited to tour Mandala Majapahit, a small museum located inside the laboratory of Margono Building, to see a number of artifact replica collections available. From this exploration of cooperation, it is expected to improve the quality of education for the UGM Department of Archaeology and Iwate University, in supporting cooperation in the field of quality and sustainable education.

Yogyakarta, August 13, 2024 – The Faculty of Humanities of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully held the inaugural lecture for new undergraduate students of the Class of 2024 with the theme “The Role of Humanities in the 21st Century”. The event was held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, from 08.00 WIB to 11.00 WIB at Soegondo Building, UGM. Facing the number of participants reaching 700 people, this inaugural lecture was held offline at Soegondo Auditorium and online in various classes that had been determined. The division of rooms for this event was as follows:

– Soegondo Auditorium: Students of the Cultural Anthropology, Indonesian Language and Literature, and Tourism Study Programs.

– Soegondo Room 707: Students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, French Language and Literature, and History programs.

– Soegondo Room 625+627: Students of Korean Language and Culture Study Program.

– Soegondo Room 521+522: Students of the English Literature Study Program.

– Soegondo Room 407+409: Students of the Arabic Literature Study Program.

– Soegondo Room 310: Students of Japanese Language and Culture Study Program.

– Soegondo Room 226+227: Students of the Archaeology Study Program.

The event was attended by Heads of Departments and Heads of Undergraduate Study Programs (S1) and guided by the moderator, Dr. Wulan Tri Astuti, S.S., M.A.. This event certainly presents excellent speakers: Prof. Dr. Fadlil Munawaar Manshur, M.S., Prof. Dr. Bambang Hudayana, M.A., Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., and Prof. Dr. Hendrokumoro, M.Hum. The speakers gave in-depth presentations on the contribution and relevance of the humanities in the context of the 21st century, providing valuable insights for the new students to start their academic journey. With high enthusiasm and spirit, new students are expected to absorb knowledge and inspiration from this inaugural lecture to build useful knowledge in the field of humanities.

A series of archaeological activities in the Muarajambi Cultural Heritage Area in the form of archaeological excavation of the dried up canal body. This excavation was carried out in the Kedaton Temple Pond Sector on April 18-23, 2024.

The Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) V Jambi Province as the organizer of the activity invited the author to become an Archaeological Expert in charge of providing some considerations in the implementation of excavation and handling of findings. This activity also involved several staff from BPK V and the local community. Until this assignment was completed, excavation activities in the field were still being carried out.