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

YOGYAKARTA – Students of the Arabic Literature Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) received guidance on personal branding, LinkedIn profile development, and professional CV writing as part of the Entrepreneurship and Self-Development course on September 7, 2026. The session was delivered by Nifa Andriani, an alumna of the Arabic Literature Study Program, who served as one of the speakers in the class.

During the session, Nifa explained that building a professional profile begins with recognizing one’s experiences and skills. LinkedIn can be used by students to showcase their achievements, skills, organizational involvement, and work experience while also building connections with people who share similar professional interests or career goals. The platform also allows users to continuously update their professional profiles as they gain new experiences.

The discussion went beyond general explanations, as Nifa also reviewed several students’ LinkedIn profiles directly. The review covered various sections, including profile photos, headlines, About, and Experience. Several participants’ profiles were discussed to assess whether the information presented reflected their current interests and career goals. Nifa also highlighted the importance of using relevant keywords to make profiles more visible to recruiters.

In addition to LinkedIn, students learned how to create an effective CV. During the discussion, participants compared several CV formats, including more colorful designs and simpler, well-structured layouts. Nifa explained that a clean and easy-to-read CV can help recruiters identify important information more efficiently, particularly when applications are screened through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) during the recruitment process.

The session also covered how students can present their experiences as part of their professional profiles. Organizational activities, volunteer work, certifications, projects, and freelance experience can be included when they are relevant to the skills and qualifications a student wants to highlight. Students also gained an overview of the recruitment process, including employment background checks and factors that companies may consider when evaluating candidates.

The discussion was part of the Arabic Literature Study Program’s efforts to prepare students for the professional world. By learning how to identify their strengths, present their experiences effectively, and build a professional profile, students are encouraged to start planning their career paths while still at university and make better use of the experiences they gain throughout their studies.

Author : Indana Zulfa Maulida

On 8 September 2026, SMAN 1 Teras Boyolali visited the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM as part of a Campus Tour for 11th-grade students. Around 150 students attended the visit, which took place from 09.00 to 10.00 WIB at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium.

The event began with welcoming remarks from the Principal of SMAN 1 Teras Boyolali. He encouraged his students to actively ask questions while they had the chance to visit FIB UGM. “Come on, ask plenty of questions later while we are at UGM; when else will we get this opportunity,” he said.

Swety, representing the Public Relations team, presented the study programs available at FIB, which comprise 22 programs in total, including 11 undergraduate programs that high school students can choose in the future.

The event then proceeded to an interactive Q&A session. Three female students from SMAN 1 Teras Boyolali eagerly took the opportunity to engage directly with the speaker. They raised several insightful questions, ranging from scholarship availability and opportunities at UGM, various admission tracks, to the acceptance rate and competition percentage for admission to FIB UGM. Furthermore, they also explored information regarding career prospects and job opportunities for FIB UGM graduates in the future.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]