SDGs 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Yogyakarta, Monday, February 19th, 2024 (UGM) – The Malam Museum Community, in collaboration with See Jane Run Team and the Department of History at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, successfully organized a historical discussion titled “Where is Home? Stories of Indonesian after World War II by Jane Vogel Mantiri.” The event took place from 09:00 to 11:30 AM in Meeting Room 1 of Poerbatjaraka Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. Dr. Wildan Sena Utama served as the moderator, with Jean Vogel Mantiri and Tedy Hernawan, S.S., M.A., as the speakers. In addition to UGM students, the event was attended by members of the general public and students from other universities around UGM.

Jane Vogel Mantiri shared her life story, particularly the history of her family as descendants of Indo (mixed Dutch and Native) heritage. Genealogical studies revealed that Jane’s Dutch ancestors arrived in Indonesia in the 18th century. Jane herself was born in Jakarta, eight years after the end of World War II. For hundreds of years since the arrival of her ancestors, Jane’s family grew and settled in Indonesia. However, during the erosion of colonial heritage in the decolonization period (1950s to 1960s), Jane and her family faced bitter realities and had to leave Indonesia.

One of the bitter stories that will always be remembered by Jane is about her beloved father’s sister, Deetje. In late October 1945, Deetje was on a train journey after visiting her father, Jane’s grandfather, who was ill due to malnutrition after being detained by the Japanese army. The train was stopped by “Indonesian rebels,” and Deetje was raped, and her head was severed. Her body has never been found to this day. The trauma of Deetje’s death continues to haunt Jane’s family, especially her father. Eventually, Jane’s family left Indonesia in September 1954 and moved to the Netherlands. Unfortunately, their arrival in the Netherlands was not met with open arms due to their non-European complexion. In 1960, Jane’s family migrated to America through sponsorship from a church. There, they obtained American citizenship.

For years, Jane grew up with a sense of shame as a foreigner in America without a country she could call “home.” The turning point that led Jane to rediscover her identity as an Indo descendant was the death of both her parents. Moreover, Jane is convinced that if the tragic events that happened to Deetje had not occurred, her parents would not have been willing to leave Indonesia and accept Dutch citizenship. After all, their daily meals consisted of rice, vegetables, and sambal. Therefore, for Jane, family is not always about lineage but can also be defined by culture.

To this day, Jane admits to still being traumatized by the events that befell her family in the past. She states that there is no cure for trauma. However, someone who is now a trauma psychologist turns that trauma into a reason to strengthen herself. She proves this by revisiting Indonesia and sharing her family’s story in a book. The question “Where is home?” for Jane is finally answered. For her, America is her adopted home. Meanwhile, Indonesia, as the motherland, will always be her homeland.

“When talking about the experiences of Indo people and how they are outsiders, instead of insiders, and also those who are uncategorized or cannot be categorized, it’s quite complex from that perspective because, in my opinion, stories like Bu Jane’s open up new discussions, new spaces where suffering or how Bu Jane feels in peeling off her own identity, and also she doesn’t feel belonging in just one community but can be defined in various or multi-identities,” said Tamim, a History student from the class of 2021.

Wildan Sena Utama stated that racial discrimination was indeed a global issue in the 20th century. He added that the Indo group is marginalized and forgotten. In the Indonesian context, according to Tedy Hernawan, the change in the concept of “Indonesianness” between the pre-20th century and the 20th century also influenced the changing views on the Indo group. Discussions about the Indo group certainly contribute to new discourses related to marginalized groups because not all mixed Dutch-Native descendants live in luxury.

SGDs 4: Quality Education|SGDs 17: Partnerships For The Goals

On Saturday, 2nd of March, 2024, coinciding with the peak event of the 78th FIB UGM Dies Natalis, Gebyar Dies Natalis, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM inaugurated the Literature Library (Perpustra). The inauguration was attended by Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Sc., Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM and Director of HR Kompas Gramedia, Sigit Suryanto.

The Literature Library, known by the abbreviation Perpustra, is a new collaborative innovation from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM with Kompas Gramedia in encouraging and supporting literacy culture, especially literary literacy. In addition, Perpustra is also a means of open discussion space for students, lecturers, and residents of FIB UGM.

In front of the R. Soegondo Building, Perpustra is a small yellow container with several popular books for young people. Around Perpustra, there are several bean bags on the fresh green grass lawn of the R. Soegondo Building. This relaxed atmosphere is created with the aim of Perpustra becoming a comfortable and attractive place, especially for students who want to stop by to read the books available. Inside this small yellow container, readers are provided with some popular contemporary literary book options, such as the book Tragedy of the Sword of Justice by Keigo Higashino, Jalan Pulang by Maria Hartiningsih, The Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson, and many more choices of literature books.

The presence of Perpustra brings a new spirit to the residents of FIB UGM. Support for expanding knowledge and literacy insights about literature is a real contribution step by FIB UGM to advance the Indonesian literary world.

On Tuesday, March 5, 2024, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM held the last peak agenda of the 78th Dies Natalis series of events, namely the Open Senate Meeting. The Open Senate Meeting was held in the Soegondo Auditorium, 7th Floor, inviting educators, lecturers, student representatives, and Outstanding People Awards from FIB UGM. This agenda consists of several main activities such as the Opening of the Open Senate Meeting by the Chair of the FIB UGM Senate, the 2024 FIB UGM Dean’s Annual Report, Remarks from the UGM Rector, the 78th Dies Natalis Oration by Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, M.Hum., DEA., Cutting the Tumpeng, and Outstanding People Awards.

The Open Senate Meeting began with an opening by the Chairman of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM Senate, Prof. Dr. Heddy Shri Ahimsa Putra, M.A., M.Phil., followed by the 2024 FIB UGM Dean’s Annual Report by Prof. Dr. Setiadi, M.Si., which presented the 2023 FIB UGM annual report in three areas: Education and Teaching, Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni, and Assets, Finance, Human Resources. The presentation of the Dean’s Annual Report covers several aspects, such as achievements, accumulation of achievements, cooperation, academic and student development, community service activities, research and journals, and so on. This report presentation aims to overview the development and strengthening processes that have become FIB UGM’s commitment. Readers can access the annual report through the List of Periodically Available Information page at the following link: FIB UGM Dean’s Annual Report 2024.

After the annual report presentation, the activity was continued with a speech by the UGM Rector, Prof. Dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D, explained that Indonesia has the potential for cultural diversity that can be an opportunity for innovation that has meaningful value. “… This potential is certainly an important source of knowledge to optimize innovation that not only creates new cultural products but also to what extent culture can harvest which are productive and at the same time become a treasure trove of values ​​that are meaningful for life,” he said about the importance of cultural diversity.

The agenda of activities continued with the 78th Dies Natalis Oration of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM by Professor of FIB UGM, Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, M.Hum., DEA., with the title: “The Upper Subject: “Honor” and Its Social Reproduction Practices in Contemporary Indonesian Society”. In his speech, he explained the importance of seeing the existence of humans amid technological and information developments in modern times which increasingly ignore the role of humans as subjects that are starting to be replaced by the role of technology as new subjects currently being considered. In addition, the attitude of the community group is also in the spotlight, especially with the current phenomenon of showing off the luxury they have.

After the 78th Dies Natalis Oration of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM ended, the event continued with the Awarding Session for outstanding people of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada which consisted of outstanding lecturers, outstanding education staff, well-performing education staff, and outstanding students. The list of FIB UGM Outstanding People awards is as follows:

Outstanding Lecturer Award:

•  Dr. Sita Hidayah, M.A.

•  Dr. Aprinus Salam, M.Hum.

•  Dr. Agus Suwignyo, M.A.

Award for outstanding education personnel: Eska Nurbowo, A.Md. from the Language Center

Award for best-performing education personnel: Bapak Murjiman from the Administration Division

Outstanding student awards were given to

• Wahyu Lestariningsih from the Cultural Anthropology Study Program,
•  Devina Ocsanda from the Archaeology Study Program,
•  Lulu Nabiha Nurilailati from the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program,
• Raihana Alfiyya Riqqa Aldila from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program,
• Grace Sandy Br. Barus from the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program
• Rifal Fadlurrahman from the French Language and Literature Study Program Rafael
• Raga Budi Panuntun Hernawan from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program
• Muhammad Jhony Fonsen from the Tourism Study Program
• Elvira Sundari from the Arabic Literature Study Program
• Devi Ayu Lisdiyana from the English Literature Study Program
• Dinda Nabila from the History Study Program

The ceremony continued with the symbolic Tumpeng Cutting procession by the Chairman of the FIB UGM Senate which was then handed over to the Dean of FIB UGM and forwarded to the Committee Head of the 78th Dies Natalis Committee, Erika Purnawati, S.Kom., M.Cs.

Following the Tumpeng Cutting, the event was enlivened by a joint choir performance by lecturers, educators, and students. They presented three songs themed “Love” with different versions dedicated to FIB UGM, namely “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Karena Cinta, and “Selayang Pandang”.

The 78th Dies Natalis Open Senate Meeting of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM concluded with a prayer session led by Mr. Hamdan, M.A., and closing remarks by the Chairman of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM Senate. The closing of this activity is expected to bring new hope for the future of FIB UGM, fostering innovation in advancing Indonesian culture.

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 14: Life Below Water | SDGs 15: Life on Land | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The XXIX National Cultural Gathering was successfully organized by I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa State Hindu University (UHN) which took place on Sunday-Friday, from November 5th until 10th, 2023. The theme of the 2023 National Cultural Gathering was “Sabda Budaya: Mukhti Luwir Nihan Segara”, which means “Cultural Echoes: Thundering like the Ocean”. The theme intends to highlight the richness of Indonesian culture that is still thundering amid the current era of globalization. The activity lasted for five days with various agendas including the National Deliberation, Wimbakara (Competition), and National Seminar. It ended with the Awarding Night as well as the closing of the XXIX National Cultural Gathering activities.

In this XXIX National Cultural Gathering, the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), sent eight delegates to participate in the entire series of events. The UGM delegation consists of Nurma Aisyah (class of 2021) as the head of the delegation, Vighna Rivattyannur Hernawan (class of 2020), Bima Muslih Wicaksono (class of 2022), Haryo Untoro (class of 2022), Kintan Dewinta Putri (class of 2022), Muhammad Siswoyo (class of 2022), Alma Syahwalani (class of 2023), and Meifira Arini Pitaloka (class of 2023).

There were six contested activities, including the Cultural Parade, National Scientific Writing Competition (LKTIN), Poetry Musicalization Competition, Comic Strip Competition, Cultural Tiktok Competition, and Cultural Reportage Competition. Of the six competitions, the delegation of Universitas Gadjah Mada won five competitions, including:

• 1st place in the Cultural Reportage competition (Alma Syahwalani)

The Cultural Reportage competition raised the theme of Taman Sari Yogyakarta, a historic water garden site, as a reflection of the splendor and majesty of Indonesian culture that is passed down to this day.

• 2nd place in the National Scientific Writing Competition (Haryo Untoro and Muhammad Siswoyo)

The National Scientific Writing Competition entitled Reflection of the Entity of the Agrarian Tradition in the Track Record of Cowongan Song Verses, raised the Cowongan ritual song verses as material objects that contain elements of agricultural in the form of various plants and animals. The elements are then associated with their classification in Javanese culture and reveal the inheritance related to the name of the agrarian elements and the agrarian mythology behind them.

• 2nd place in Comic Strip competition (Meifira Arini Pitaloka)

The Comic Strip competition with the theme “environmental conservation based on local wisdom” tells the story of young people who want to reforest by paying attention to the philosophy of these plants.

• 3rd place in the Poetry Musicalization competition (Nurma Aisyah and Bima Muslih Wicaksono)

The Poetry Musicalization Competition raised the theme “Sabda Budaya: Mukhti Luwir Nihan Segara” brought poetry created by Muhammad Siswoyo about the beauty and majesty of the nation’s culture. The poem was performed with a recitation combined with singing and musical accompaniment, thus mesmerizing the other participants.

• 3rd place in Tiktok Nusantara competition (Kintan Dewinta Putri)

Cultural Tiktok competition featuring traditional games, including Dakon or Congklak, Clogs, and games accompanied by dolanan cublek-cublek suweng songs.

The achievement of the UGM Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program in winning various competitions is a concrete manifestation of UGM Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Students in promoting, appreciating, and preserving the diverse cultures and traditions in Indonesia.

With the existence of the XXIXth National Cultural Gathering activities, it is hoped that they will motivate students to be interested in promoting this cultural heritage and tradition. Furthermore, this National Cultural Gathering activity can strengthen relationships between students of regional literature study programs throughout Indonesia and implement sustainable development goals, especially in improving the quality of education, extracting local wisdom that is in tune with the ecosystem, and working together to preserve and explore the nation’s cultural potential.

We would like to thank all those who have participated in the success of this event. Hopefully, Imbasadi can continue to accommodate students majoring in regional literature throughout Indonesia in developing and preserving the nation’s culture.

Indonesia is diverse, and Imbasadi unites.

SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions | SDGs 16: Accountable institutions | SDG 10: Reduced inequalities | SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth | SDG 5: Gender equality: Feminism

Prof. Dr. Ida Rochani Adi, S.U. was a Professor in the field of American Studies, Department of Intercultural Studies, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University. Before becoming a professor in this field from 1995 until now, she started his career as a lecturer in 1980 in the Master of Management study program for 15 years. Gadjah Mada University could be said to be a second home for her. How could it not be, she has been part of this university since taking undergraduate studies from 1976 to 1980 majoring in English. From 1985 to 1987, she continued her studies in a master’s program in American studies. Then from 2000 to 2003, he took his doctoral program at Gadjah Mada University. Because of all this, she received the UGM 25 Years of Loyalty award two years in a row, in 2007 and 2008.

Time flies so fast. Now she is at the end of his service and entering her retirement period. To appreciate her services and provide memorable memories, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences team consisting of lecturers, staff, alumni and students prepared special events and offerings as a form of love and gratitude. The event was presented in the form of a seminar on Monday, February 19 2024 at the Soegondo Building Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University. At this event, her work in the form of a book she wrote was dissected and became a souvenir for everyone who attended. She also received song offerings, greetings and gifts from his colleagues. In her speech, she felt very grateful and did not expect that she would get so much love from the people around him.