On September 3, 2026, Prof. Tania Li from the National University of Singapore shared her insights on the writing process during a public lecture hosted by the Department of Anthropology, UGM, titled “Figuring Out Master Narrative in Writing Project” at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM. The 120-minute session invited participants to reflect on their writing methods while evaluating common obstacles that arise during the writing process. The session opened with an interactive exercise where participants were asked to share their ongoing writing projects with the person sitting next to them. Any confusion experienced during this exercise served as an early indicator that the intended narrative had not yet been clearly formulated.

Prof. Tania explained that a successful writing project is always built upon a clear master narrative or key message, though discovering this message is often a challenge in itself. A strong narrative typically holds a puzzle at its core, captivating readers with the promise of uncovering something unexpected or unresolved. In this context, theory plays a vital role in identifying this puzzle and connecting the work to broader literature without losing focus on the specific research context. Furthermore, effective storytelling brings arguments to life and keeps readers engaged. Ultimately, understanding and visualizing the target audience is a key final step in crafting a coherent and compelling narrative.

Author: Daiva Keefe Kalimasadha

An atmosphere of emotion and warmth filled the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) on Friday, September 11, 2026. More than 200 people—comprising FIB UGM lecturers, conference guests, and undergraduate and master’s students of the Linguistics and Indonesian Language programs—gathered to attend the valedictory speech of Prof. Dr. I Dewa Putu Wijana, S.U., M.A.

This moment marked the final official day of teaching at FIB UGM for Prof. Putu. Born on August 16, 1956, and widely recognized as a leading expert in Pragmatics, Discourse Analysis, and Sociolinguistics, he has served as an educator since February 1983. For 43 years, he dedicated himself to educating generations of students at the faculty.

Beyond a farewell ceremony, the valedictory event was highlighted by the launch of his three latest books: Renik-Renik Linguistik, Linguistik Forensik, and Kumpulan Humor Prof. Putu, the latter being a special tribute from colleagues and students.

Having authored more than 10 books, Prof. Putu used his final stage to convey a meaningful message regarding the importance of writing. For him, writing is the best way to express what is on one’s mind.

“Write, because that is how you become immortal,” Prof. Putu stated, a line he repeatedly emphasized to the audience.

Although the event carried a sad undertone due to the farewell, Prof. Putu’s humorous nature helped lighten the atmosphere. The witty jokes he shared throughout his speech transformed the emotional mood into warm laughter. The event became even more memorable with the screening of a tribute video dedicated to him by fellow lecturers and students.

Before concluding his speech, Prof. Putu closed the farewell with an Arabic proverb to inspire everyone present: “Man jadda wa jada”—whoever strives earnestly will succeed.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]

The international workshop “Commodity, Plantation, and Colonialism in Indonesia: Current Research in Social, Economic, and Architectural History” will be held on July 23–24, 2026, at Pavillon 333, the Architecture Museum of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany. This workshop is part of the exhibition series “Nge-Téh / Tea Time: Architectures of the Colonial Commodity Chain from Indonesia to Germany, 19th Century,” which runs from July 23–26, 2026. The workshop brings together scholars from various disciplines engaged in the study of commodity history, plantations, and colonialism. This event aims to foster dialogue encompassing architectural, social, economic, and cultural history from a historical perspective, spanning the early modern to the contemporary periods that shaped the tea commodity chain from Indonesia to Europe. Through an interdisciplinary lens, the workshop explores how colonial plantation systems not only shaped the physical landscape but also created social, economic, and cultural relationships whose influence is still felt today.

This workshop was held in conjunction with a visit by Prof. Dr. Pujo Semedi, known as the “Historical Anthropologist.” He was invited to serve as the keynote speaker and spoke about plantations in Indonesia from 1870 to 2020. His contributions to the advancement of knowledge serve as a fine example for students. Through research rooted in the experiences of local communities, knowledge of Indonesia’s colonial history can be enriched and introduced to an international audience as part of efforts to foster a more inclusive understanding of global history.

In addition to the discussion sessions, a “Nge-Téh / Tea Time” exhibition was also held. The exhibition explored the history of tea as a colonial commodity, from the plantations in West Java, through the processing and distribution via Batavia and Hamburg, to its consumption by the public in Germany. A variety of historical archives, photographs, tea trade artifacts, ceramic artworks, and documentary films were displayed to illustrate Indonesia’s connection to global trade networks. The exhibition also underscored that although Indonesia was never a German colony, the tea trade linked the two regions within the global colonial economic system.

This workshop serves as an important forum for strengthening international collaboration in the fields of colonial history, anthropology, architecture, and Southeast Asian studies. The discussions that emerged not only shed light on the colonial past but also encouraged critical reflection on sustainability, historical justice, and the importance of incorporating local communities’ perspectives in understanding the history of global commodities.

Author: Dewi Widyastuti

Picture: Prof. Pujo Semedi

SLEMAN — The Malam Inisiasi for new students of the Master’s in Literature Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), offered more than an introduction to academic life. It became a space where students came together, got to know one another, and expressed themselves through a diverse range of artistic performances.

Held under the theme “Antara Kata dan Kita: Sebuah Cerita yang Ditulis Bersama,” the event took place on August 28–29, 2026, at Pondok A. Salam, Kalimasada, Sleman, and brought together new students of the Master’s in Literature Program for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.

The evening opened with remarks from Head of the Master’s in Literature Program Prof. Dr. Aprinus Salam, S.S., M.Hum., followed by a session on UGM’s philosophy and institutional values delivered by Prof. Drs. M. Mukhtasar Syamsuddin, M.Hum., Ph.D. of Arts.

Students were also introduced to several academic initiatives within the program, including Academic Student Networking (ASN) and International Dissemination.

The artistic performances became one of the evening’s highlights. Rather than relying on elaborate staging or formal performance facilities, the students created an intimate and spontaneous setting where they could share their talents, ideas, and personal experiences.

Alya performed Nadin Amizah’s “Bertaut,” while Deni presented a musical interpretation of his own poetry. Chaca took the audience through a personal story in an English-language storytelling performance.

Adit, Nurdin, Riki, and Veto presented a theatrical piece addressing a range of social issues, including environmental and political concerns, accompanied by poetic verses. Fajri followed with a poetry reading, while Eloi brought the performances to a close with a dance.

The range of performances underscored the many ways literature and art can be expressed—not only through writing, but also through voice, music, movement, the body, and personal experience. For the students, the simple stage became a space to introduce themselves while sharing their perspectives and creativity.

Reflecting on the event, Aprinus Salam described the students’ performances through the idea of “radical art” and “zero-rupiah art.”

For Aprinus, radical art is art that is free from political and economic agendas. It is created simply as an act of artistic expression and as an affirmation of friendship and community.

One of its defining characteristics, he argues, is the absence of monetary exchange. The artists perform without payment, while the audience attends without paying. Art, in this sense, is not created for profit or accumulation, but for the sake of expression itself.

Art can also become a way of strengthening solidarity within a community. It allows people to express friendship, affection, and a sense of belonging, while at the same time revealing something of their individual character.

“The courage to free oneself from that is itself a form of radicalizing life,” Aprinus wrote.

He further noted that art is often confined to designated spaces governed by administrative requirements and formal structures. When this happens, art—which can originally function as a form of resistance—can instead become commercial entertainment and a commodity.

Against this tendency, Aprinus sees zero-rupiah radical art as a form of authentic resistance. Poetry, prose, and literature can emerge without being shaped by commercial interests, external agendas, or institutional co-optation. What remains is the experience of art itself: admiration, wonder, and emotional resonance.

That spirit, he said, was evident in the performances presented by the new Master’s in Literature students during the Malam Inisiasi on August 28.

Aprinus acknowledged that putting on a performance requires preparation and practice. Yet technical skills alone cannot produce everything that makes an artistic performance meaningful.

“What cannot be trained is the ability to bring forth spirit, personal character, and profound feeling,” he wrote.

His reflection captures what made the evening distinctive. In the midst of an event welcoming students into their new academic community, art became a space for students to reveal their personalities, share their experiences, express their ideas, and build solidarity.

Malam Inisiasi thus became more than a welcoming event. Through performances created and presented by the students themselves, the evening turned into a shared stage where words, voices, bodies, and ideas came together—becoming, in its own way, a story written together.

Author: Khotibul Umam

The Indonesian Language and Literature Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, in collaboration with the Art Conservation Program at ISI Yogyakarta, TU Wien (Austria), and the Yogyakarta Philosophical Axis Management Office (BPKSF), is organizing a workshop titled “From Tugu to the Krapyak Stage: Storytelling on Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis for Children” on September 1–2, 2026, in Room 709 of the Soegondo Building, FIB UGM.

The workshop featured Aryanto Hendro, Head of the Yogyakarta Philosophical Axis Management Office; Ulrike Herbig from TU Wien, Austria; Prima Dona Hapsari, Chair of the Art Conservation Program at ISI Yogyakarta; Nano Warsono from the Art Conservation Program at ISI Yogyakarta; and Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, Chair of the Indonesian Language and Literature Program at FIB UGM.

In his presentation on “The Dynamics of Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis,” Aryanto Hendro encouraged participants to understand the Philosophical Axis of Yogyakarta not merely as a series of buildings or urban landmarks. The axis, which stretches from Tugu, the Yogyakarta Palace, to Panggung Krapyak, holds values, history, and philosophy that are important to recognize and pass on to future generations.

Meanwhile, Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, through her session titled “Storytelling on the Philosophical Axis of Yogyakarta for Children,” emphasized the importance of presenting cultural heritage in a way that resonates with children’s worlds. Complex philosophical values can be translated into vivid stories through characters, events, dialogue, games, illustrations, wayang or puppets, songs, and other creative activities. In this way, children not only receive information about the Philosophical Axis but are also invited to experience, imagine, and reinterpret this cultural heritage through their own perspectives.

This workshop also serves as a learning space for undergraduate and graduate students to develop their storytelling skills and apply them with children. Students are encouraged to transform their knowledge of the Philosophical Axis into stories that are communicative, imaginative, and enjoyable, while remaining grounded in the cultural values they embody.

The presence of speakers from various fields and institutions reinforces the interdisciplinary and cross-cultural nature of this workshop. Collaboration between language and literary studies, art conservation, cultural heritage management, and international perspectives opens up new possibilities for introducing the Philosophical Axis to the younger generation.

Through this workshop, storytelling becomes more than just the act of telling stories. Stories become a bridge connecting space, history, philosophy, creativity, and the world of children. From Tugu to the Krapyak Stage, cultural heritage is not merely remembered as a relic of the past but is brought to life through stories to grow alongside future generations. This initiative supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) through creative learning that introduces historical and cultural values to children. Efforts to bring the Yogyakarta Philosophical Axis to life through storytelling are also in line with SDG 11.4, which aims to strengthen the protection and preservation of cultural heritage. Inter-institutional and cross-national collaboration also reflects SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Author: Indonesian Language and Literature