In an effort to improve students’ writing skills, particularly in the field of Javanese literature, the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program Universitas Gadjah Mada organized a teaching practitioner activity themed Javanese Literary Creation. The activity was held in Margono Room 404, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada as part of the Productive Written Javanese course on April 14 and 21, 2026.

The activity featured Sri Suryani as the teaching practitioner, guiding students to become more familiar with the world of Javanese literary writing. This class formed part of the Productive Written Javanese course for the 2026 academic year, taught by Dr. Sulistyowati, M.Hum.

During the first meeting on April 14, 2026, students received material on modern Javanese literary works and creative writing techniques, particularly short stories (cerkak). In addition to the presentation session, students and the teaching practitioner discussed the planned outputs of the activity, namely an anthology of cerkak and geguritan. Students were also given the opportunity to submit their written works, which would later be discussed in the following session.

Meanwhile, during the second meeting on April 21, 2026, students studied geguritan with a focus on stylistic elements. The activity then continued with a discussion of the works submitted in the previous meeting. Students presented drafts of their writing and discussed them with the teaching practitioner and fellow participants. The discussion session was lively and interactive, as students not only learned how to write, but also gained an understanding of the processes of developing, editing, and preparing literary works for publication.

The teaching practitioner activity was carried out smoothly and successfully, supported by the strong enthusiasm of students from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program in learning about Javanese literary writing. Through this activity, students not only gained an understanding of the creative process of literary writing, but also acquired practical experience in developing their works more thoroughly. The outputs of the activity, in the form of Javanese literary works such as cerkak and geguritan, are expected to serve as learning media as well as a means for younger generations to foster love and pride for Indonesian culture, particularly Javanese culture. In addition, this activity aligns with the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 4 on quality education through the strengthening of students’ literacy and creativity competencies, and SDG 17 on partnerships for the goals through collaboration between academics and practitioners in developing experience-based learning.

Author : Haryo Untoro
Editor : Haryo Untoro

Yogyakarta, April, 24 2026 – The Balai Bahasa Provinsi Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada signed a cooperation agreement concerning the synergy of language and literature development, cultivation, and preservation through the strategic role of higher education institutions. This activity formed part of an effort to strengthen collaboration between language institutions and academic institutions in maintaining the sustainability of language and literature amid the dynamics of globalization.

The cooperation agreement was signed by Drs. Umar Solikhan, M.Hum., as the Head of the Yogyakarta Language Office and Dr. Mimi Savitri, M.A. as the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni Affairs of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. Through this partnership, both parties committed to developing various collaborative programs in the fields of education, language development, and academic advancement, including student internships, language competency enhancement, regional language preservation, academic activities, and the development of the Indonesian for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) program.

The event was also attended by representatives of the Badan Pengembangan dan Pembinaan Bahasa as well as heads of language offices from several provinces, including Banten, West Java, Central Java, and East Java. The presence of these stakeholders reflected the importance of cross-regional synergy in strengthening both language policies and the implementation of national language programs.

In his remarks, Drs. Umar Solikhan, M.Hum., emphasized that the Language Office’s attention is directed not only toward the status of the Indonesian language, but also toward the sustainability of regional languages. According to him, the preservation of regional languages is one of the major tasks that urgently needs to be strengthened.

“Indonesia possesses extraordinary linguistic diversity. However, the current condition is certainly far from ideal. Our younger generation seems to be increasingly unfamiliar with regional languages and finds it difficult to use them.”

He further explained that the Language Office would strengthen regional language preservation efforts through several measures, such as improving teachers’ competencies and the quality of regional language instruction, adjusting educational curricula, and empowering local communities. In this context, the cooperation between the Yogyakarta Language Office and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences serves as one concrete step in supporting these efforts.

Through this collaboration, it is hoped that an ecosystem supporting the strengthening of Indonesian and regional linguistic and literary identities can be established, while also encouraging innovation in linguistic studies and practices relevant to contemporary societal needs. One concrete initiative that has already been implemented is the development of a Javanese language corpus organized by the Yogyakarta Language Office with the involvement of students from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, FIB UGM.

Author : Haryo Untoro
Editor : Haryo Untoro

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]