Yogyakarta, May 21, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) is hosting the Gadjah Mada Wayang Festival 2026 from May 21 to 23, 2026. The festival features a traditional leather puppet painting (sungging) competition and a cardboard puppet coloring contest, representing a concrete step by the educational institution to preserve Indonesian heritage.

This event is part of the EQUITY program funded by the Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP RI) and serves as a celebration of the 80th anniversary of FIB UGM. This year, the Gadjah Mada Wayang Festival adopts the grand theme “Kita. Butuh. Wayang.” (We. Need. Wayang.). The theme conveys a vital message about fostering a balanced synergy between the university’s academic discourse and the livelihoods of wayang craftsmen in Butuh Hamlet, Sidowarno Village, Klaten Regency.

The competitions began simultaneously on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 09:30 AM WIB. The leather puppet painting competition targets high school students, university students, and the general public from various regions, with a maximum age limit of 25. The organizing committee provided a Surakarta-style Gathutkaca puppet character as the primary medium. Participants are given five and a half hours to complete their work individually. They are free to choose their painting style based on personal preference, such as the Surakarta or Yogyakarta style.

Alongside this event, the committee is holding an in-person cardboard puppet (Wayang Karton) coloring competition at Pusaka Jawa UGM. This competition is specifically designed for elementary and junior high school students. Participants are given three hours to complete their work. All entries from both competitions will be returned and remain the full property of the participants after the winners are announced.

The evaluation for both competitions takes place in a single judging phase. The primary criteria used by the panel of judges include coloring technique, color composition, neatness and cleanliness, as well as the level of creativity shown by the participants.

These efforts to preserve wayang artistry serve as an important bridge to keep local cultural heritage deeply rooted in the identity of the younger generation. The close collaboration between the higher education institution and village artisans demonstrates that protecting tradition goes hand in hand with community empowerment and strengthening the local economy for the future.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, May 21, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) has officially opened the Gadjah Mada Wayang Festival 2026 at the UGM Center for Javanese Studies (Pusaka Jawa). The event, running from Thursday, May 21, to Saturday, May 23, 2026, is part of the Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education Agency (LPDP RI) EQUITY program and serves as a celebration of the 80th anniversary of FIB UGM.

This year’s festival highlights the main theme “Kita. Butuh. Wayang.” (We Need Wayang). This theme carries a vital message regarding the effort to build a balanced synergy between the academic sphere of UGM and the creative pulse of wayang artisans in Butuh Hamlet, Sidowarno Village, Klaten Regency.

FIB UGM emphasizes that this year’s theme reflects a commitment to keeping traditions alive. It serves as a declaration that the existence of wayang cannot merely be preserved in museum showcases or through stage performances. Wayang must be actively sustained by empowering its makers in Butuh Hamlet, appreciating its creative process, and ensuring its noble values are carried forward by ‘Us’ into the present and future.

The Gadjah Mada Wayang Festival series opened on Thursday, May 21, 2026, with an Opening Ceremony and a Solo Wayang Performance. On the same day, the committee also hosted a Cardboard Wayang Coloring and Wayang Painting (Sungging) Competition. For three full days, the general public can visit the Wayang Exhibition and Market, which showcases a variety of highly valuable artworks crafted by local artisans.

The second day, Friday, May 22, 2026, focuses on strengthening the academic foundation through an Expert Lecture. The highlight of the festival will take place on Saturday, May 23, 2026. On this final day, the public will have the opportunity to participate in a Tatah Sungging (Wayang Carving and Painting) Workshop, watch the vibrant Nusantara Wayang Parade, and attend the closing ceremony along with the announcement of the competition winners.

The Gadjah Mada Wayang Festival 2026 represents a concrete step by the university to preserve the nation’s cultural heritage. Empowering village artisans and placing them at the center of art preservation will foster self-reliance and economic growth within local communities. This empowerment-based preservation approach ensures that ancestral heritage remains competitive, inclusive, and capable of supporting the welfare of its artisans across generations.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, May 22, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), in collaboration with the UGM Academic Hospital (RSA UGM), organized a blood donation drive. Centered at the Soegondo Building, this humanitarian activity was part of the events celebrating the 80th anniversary of FIB UGM.

The blood donation drive took place from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB) in Room S107 on the first floor of the Soegondo Building. This social initiative successfully attracted participation from various members of the academic community. Participants who came to donate their blood included students, lecturers, professional staff, and alumni.

Before the blood donation began, the campus was already lively early in the morning with a group sports event titled “FIB Sehat” (Healthy FIB). Starting at 7:00 a.m. WIB, participants gathered to take part in a variety of weekend sports activities, such as volleyball, line dancing, a fun walk, and a fun bike ride. Meanwhile, tennis facilities were specially prepared at the Lembah Sports Hall. Through an official announcement, the organizing committee invited the entire FIB UGM community to get ready and join early in the morning to make the event a success.

The combination of physical activities and social initiatives added profound meaning to the FIB UGM anniversary celebration. This event served as a tangible step in maintaining physical fitness while fostering a sense of solidarity. The spirit of care generated through the blood donation and shared sports activities is expected to support a healthier, more balanced, and prosperous quality of life for the campus community and the wider public.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, May 20, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) held a celebratory graduation ceremony for the Undergraduate Program Period III of the 2025/2026 Academic Year. The event, which took place at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium of FIB UGM, officially released 115 new graduates.

Overall, the average Grade Point Average (GPA) of the faculty’s graduates for this period reached 3.71 out of a 4.00 scale. Meanwhile, the average study period for students to complete their undergraduate education was exactly four years. Based on the distribution data per study program, the Indonesian Language and Literature program produced the highest number of graduates with 18 students, followed closely by Arabic Literature with 17 students.

The Arabic Literature Study Program took the spotlight in this graduation period after successfully securing three individual award categories at once. The Best Graduate title was awarded to Sayyidah Khalimatussakdiah with an outstanding GPA of 3.97. The Fastest Graduate category was achieved by Rangga Rayhan Paristyo, who completed his studies in 3 years, 5 months, and 15 days. Meanwhile, the Youngest Graduate award was presented to Akifatul Farizah, who successfully graduated at the age of 21 years and 5 months.

The Dean of FIB UGM, Professor Setiadi, expressed high appreciation for these extraordinary achievements. He stated that the proud accomplishments at the Period III FIB Graduation came from the Arabic Literature Study Program. Professor Setiadi also emphasized the crucial role of educators in the students’ success.

“The top three graduate categories originate from the Arabic Literature Study Program, namely the Best Graduate, the Fastest Graduate, and the Youngest Graduate. Certainly, this achievement is inseparable from the contributions of the lecturers who have educated and guided them to successfully graduate today,” Professor Setiadi remarked during his welcoming speech.

The graduation of these new humanities scholars marks the first step of their tangible contributions to society. The academic success and study period efficiency demonstrated by the graduates reflect the success of a high-quality and inclusive education system. Equipped with a strong academic foundation, this young generation is expected to be ready as driving agents who bring a positive impact on socio-cultural advancement and sustainable community welfare in the future.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

The Archaeology Student Association (HIMA) of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas
Gadjah Mada, through its Underwater Archaeology Division, conducted a scuba diving training
activity as part of efforts to develop students’ skills in maritime and underwater archaeology. The
activity was held on May 17, 2026, and attended by members of the Underwater Archaeology
Division under the guidance of certified instructors from Sentra Selam Jogja. During the training,
students were introduced to various materials, including diving equipment, proper usage
techniques, and underwater communication signals.

This scuba diving training program was part of a series of activities conducted prior to the Open
Water Training, which is usually carried out in open sea environments. Therefore, the activity
served as a practical learning experience that supported students’ understanding of underwater
archaeological research, particularly in the observation and documentation of cultural remains in
aquatic environments. Through this activity, HIMA demonstrated its commitment to improving
students’ competencies and field experience relevant to underwater archaeology and maritime
studies.

Author: Jovinka Aldinova Kiranamurti
Photo: Divisi Arkeologi Bawah Air