The Master’s Program in Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with the City Government of Subulussalam, held a National Seminar titled “Hamzah Fansuri and the Tradition of Archipelago Poetics.” The event, held on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the Auditorium on the 3rd Floor of the Poerbatjaraka Building, FIB UGM, featured prominent academics and literary experts, including Prof. Dr. Faruk, S.U., Prof. Dr. Aprinus Salam, M.Hum., and Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum.

In her opening address, Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, S.S., M.Hum., representing FIB UGM, emphasized the importance of studying Malay literature within a modern context. According to her, Malay literature is not merely a record of the past, but an essential medium for preserving cultural memory.

“The study of Malay literature opens up a space for inheritance while addressing contemporary challenges. Through this study, we maintain continuity and cultural memory. We hope this seminar becomes a productive dialogue that opens new perspectives between literature and culture in building a cultured, ethical, and good nation,” she stated.

The panel discussion highlighted the vital role of Sheikh Hamzah Fansuri, who is regarded as the pioneer of Indonesian poetry. On this occasion, Prof. Dr. Faruk examined Hamzah Fansuri as an innovator of Malay verse (syair), while Prof. Dr. Sangidu elaborated on the Sufi aspects of Hamzah Fansuri’s literary works. Prof. Sangidu expressed deep appreciation for monumental works such as Syaraabul Asyiqin, which have been preserved to this day. He also noted that historical sites related to Hamzah Fansuri remain intact and continue to be alive within the community.

In addition to classical literary studies, the dimension of social theory and literary development was addressed by Prof. Dr. Aprinus Salam through his presentation on the traces of Hamzah Fansuri in modern Indonesian poetry. In his session, he also explained the dynamics of social theories, such as Marxism, which was banned during the New Order era but subsequently opened new avenues for social analysis and critical thinking in the post-reform era.

Through this seminar, participants were invited to re-examine the roots of archipelago literature while drawing upon local cultural and ethical values to address the future challenges of national character building.

 

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]

Yogyakarta, September 22, 2026 – The Undergraduate Program in Korean Language and Culture, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has officially entered into a partnership with Silla Korean Tablehouse. This collaboration aims to provide special offers and facilities to support the welfare of the academic community, particularly students and faculty members within the department.

The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a ceremonial handshake between the Head of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program at UGM, Achmad Rio Dessiar, Ph.D., and representatives from the management of Silla Korean Tablehouse. This partnership is expected to create a positive synergy between an educational institution and Yogyakarta’s culinary and tourism sector.

Under this agreement, Silla Korean Tablehouse offers a special 20% discount on all à la carte menu items. This benefit is valid for one year during happy hours (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM WIB) from Monday to Thursday.

This exclusive offer is available to active students of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program (batches 2023–2026) as well as active faculty members. To claim the discount, members of the academic community must present valid identification at the cashier upon transaction. Students are required to show their active Student ID profile via the SIMASTER application, while faculty members must present their active Faculty ID through the official university application.

Furthermore, this collaboration offers long-term benefits for the study program’s academic community. Students and faculty members who make their first transaction by showing their active ID will automatically be registered as Silla Korean Tablehouse Customer Members at no additional cost or registration fee.

Through this partnership, the Korean Language and Culture Study Program at UGM hopes to continue building mutually beneficial relationships with external partners while delivering tangible benefits to enrich the off-campus experience and convenience for its students and faculty.

 

Author: Salwa Aulia

Hamzah Fansuri’s legacy extends far beyond the poems preserved in the Malay literary tradition. Behind works such as Syair Perahu and Syair Ikan Tunggal lie enduring debates about humanity and God, as well as questions of power and cultural boundaries that continue to invite scholarly inquiry. These issues were revisited at the National Seminar “Hamzah Fansuri and the Poetic Tradition of the Nusantara,” organized by the Master’s Program in Literature at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in collaboration with the Government of Subulussalam City at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

Held from 12:00 to 17:00 WIB, the seminar brought together three scholars as speakers: Prof. Dr. Faruk, S.U.; Prof. Dr. Aprinus Salam, M.Hum.; and Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum. The discussion was moderated by Rini Febriani.

The seminar provided an academic forum for examining Hamzah Fansuri, his works and Sufi thought, as well as their significance for the development of Malay literature and the intellectual history of the Nusantara. The collaboration also formed part of an effort to reintroduce Hamzah Fansuri as an important intellectual figure closely associated with Subulussalam.

In his remarks, the Mayor of Subulussalam described Hamzah Fansuri as a source of pride for the people of Subulussalam. He also highlighted the recognition Hamzah Fansuri had received and the enduring significance of his intellectual legacy.

He emphasized Hamzah Fansuri’s important place in the cultural history of the Nusantara. For this reason, he hoped that the collaboration between the Government of Subulussalam City and UGM’s Master’s Program in Literature would serve as a starting point for developing a range of cultural initiatives, including plans to hold a Hamzah Fansuri Festival in Subulussalam.

“This is the beginning of the Hamzah Fansuri Festival that we hope to hold in Subulussalam,” the Mayor said in his remarks.

Meanwhile, the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, in his opening remarks, stressed the importance of viewing the Malay language and literary tradition not merely as means of communication, but also as part of the intellectual heritage of the Nusantara.

He highlighted Hamzah Fansuri’s contribution to the development of the syair genre. His work, he noted, demonstrates how literature can serve as a space for articulating profound reflections on human existence, divinity, and the human journey.

One work discussed was Syair Perahu, which portrays the human journey through the metaphor of a boat. Literature, he suggested, offers more than linguistic beauty; it also provides intellectual depth and a means of reflecting on the complexities of life.

In the contemporary context, literature can also offer a moment to pause and reconsider the direction in which society is moving. The question of where Indonesia’s “boat” is heading is one such reflection that can be drawn from literature today.

Examining Hamzah Fansuri’s Works and Sufi Thought

The first speaker, Prof. Dr. Sangidu, presented a paper entitled “The Works of Hamzah Fansuri and His Sufi Thought.” He discussed several of Hamzah Fansuri’s prose and poetic works, as well as the development of the Sufi ideas underlying them.

Sangidu explained that Hamzah Fansuri’s thought was influenced by the Neo-Platonic tradition and the ideas of Ibn Arabi. Hamzah Fansuri left behind works in Malay, including a number of syair and rubā’i. Four rubā’i later provided with commentaries (syarah) by Syamsuddin as-Samatrani are Subchānal-Lāh Terlalu Kāmil, Allah Maujud Terlalu Bāqī, Sidang Fakir Empunya Kata, and Ikan Tunggal Bernama Fādhil.

One of the main works discussed was Syair Ikan, which is known by two names: Syair Ikan Tongkol and Syair Ikan Tunggal. Sangidu preferred the term Ikan Tunggal, following Doorenbos’s reading, because he considered the poem closely connected to the concept of wahdatul wujud.

In this interpretation, the fish represents the human being, or sālik, while the sea represents God. The relationship between the fish and the sea illustrates the relationship between humanity and God within the framework of wahdatul wujud. Human beings are likened to waves that emerge from water and ultimately return to water as their source. In this sense, the wave and the water are part of a single unity.

Sangidu also discussed the concepts of tajalli and Nur Muhammad. The universe is understood as a manifestation of God’s Essence and Being, while human beings, as microcosms, undertake a spiritual journey toward knowledge of and closeness to God. This process is associated with fanā’ fil-Lāh, tarkud-dunyā, and the attainment of ma’rifatullah.

The discussion then turned to Sidang Fakir Empunya Kata. In this work, self-knowledge becomes an important part of the journey toward knowing God. Sangidu explained that spiritual experience in Hamzah Fansuri’s work places the heart at the center of the process of coming to know God. The purification of the heart and the practice of ilmu hakikat are integral to this journey.

Sangidu also situated Hamzah Fansuri’s thought within the historical context of Aceh, referring to figures such as Syamsuddin as-Samatrani, Nuruddin ar-Raniri, Sultan Iskandar Muda, and Sultan Iskandar Tsani. Shifting interpretations of Sufism, he noted, were closely connected to changes in Aceh’s political and power structures.

Sufism, Marxism, and the Human Condition

The second speaker, Prof. Dr. Aprinus Salam, addressed the theme “Problems of Indonesia, Sufism’s Martabat Tujuh, and (Post-)Marxism.”

Aprinus began by examining the tendency to excuse wrongdoing and harmful acts as simply “human.” Expressions such as “people are only human” or “that is only human nature,” he argued, can become problematic when they are used to justify or normalize actions that cause harm.

He then connected this issue to the histories of colonialism, modernization, capitalism, and the development of social theory in Indonesia. From the seventeenth century onward, colonialism helped shape class and social-status structures as part of the governance of Nusantara society. By the early twentieth century, social theories, including Marxism, had begun to circulate and were being used to understand Indonesia’s social, economic, and political conditions.

According to Aprinus, secularization and modernization also contributed to placing Sufism in a more limited position within academic discourse. Marxism, meanwhile, became a source of concern for the ruling authorities and was banned during the New Order period because it was seen as potentially encouraging radical resistance to power. After 1998, capitalism and modernism continued to expand, while Marxism underwent a transformation toward post-Marxism.

It was at this point that Aprinus explored a possible meeting point between post-Marxism and Sufism. Post-Marxism is concerned, among other things, with the emergence of radical subjects, while the Martabat Tujuh tradition contains the concept of insan kamil, or the perfected human being. Although they belong to different intellectual frameworks, both can be approached through the question of human liberation from ideological, political, economic, and social constraints.

Aprinus also connected this discussion to the position of Sufi literature in the history of Indonesian literature. Sufi literature, he argued, has continued to develop, even though it has not always occupied a prominent position in discussions of Indonesian literature. Some works from the Balai Pustaka period already displayed Sufi dimensions, while in the post-independence period—particularly as state control became increasingly pronounced in the 1970s—Sufism became one of the spaces through which literature could sustain particular forms of expression.

In subsequent developments, poets such as Abdul Hadi, Sutardji Calzoum Bachri, Zawawi Imron, and Cak Nun have been associated with Sufi tendencies in their works. For Aprinus, examining Sufi literature is part of a broader effort to reconsider the relationship between literature, humanity, and social life.

The discussion was further expanded through the idea of human beings as interconnected with nature and their environment. Aprinus suggested that traditional Indonesian communities, which understand humans as intimately connected with plants, animals, and material objects, might be viewed as embodying a form of “Nusantara posthumanism.”

Hamzah Fansuri and Sultan Iskandar Muda

The third speaker, Prof. Dr. Faruk, presented a paper entitled “Hamzah Fansuri and Sultan Iskandar Muda: A Homology.”

Faruk began by asking why Hamzah Fansuri’s works received different treatment during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda and in the period that followed. His presentation compared the political circumstances under Sultan Iskandar Muda with those under Sultan Iskandar Tsani.

The reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda was presented as a period of Aceh’s prominence, characterized by a strong orientation toward global trade and political expansion. Under Sultan Iskandar Tsani, by contrast, the ruling authorities were more deeply preoccupied with internal affairs and struggles for power.

From this comparison, Faruk identified a homology between the orientation of Sultan Iskandar Muda and the tendencies within Hamzah Fansuri’s thought. Iskandar Muda sought to move beyond local boundaries through trade and political expansion, while Hamzah Fansuri’s Sufi thought likewise moved beyond geographical and cultural boundaries.

According to Faruk, Hamzah Fansuri’s Sufi thought situates human life within a more universal dimension. Sufism, in this reading, has an impulse toward crossing the border—moving beyond boundaries that divide people according to territory and culture. Hamzah Fansuri’s thought can therefore be considered in relation to cosmopolitanism and an openness to diversity.

Faruk also examined the relationship between Hamzah Fansuri’s Sufi ideas and the syair form through which they were expressed. The breadth of his Sufi thought, he suggested, sometimes seemed to exceed the capacity of the syair form to contain it fully. The tension between literary form and the expansiveness of thought thus offers an important subject for further study.

The national seminar demonstrated that discussions of Hamzah Fansuri extend beyond the history of Malay literature. They also intersect with Sufism, the political history of Aceh, social theory, cultural studies, and the development of intellectual thought in the Nusantara.

Through the collaboration between UGM’s Master’s Program in Literature and the Government of Subulussalam City, the seminar is expected to open broader avenues for scholarly research and cultural initiatives surrounding Hamzah Fansuri, while bringing academic inquiry into dialogue with efforts to reintroduce the intellectual and literary heritage of the Malay world to the wider public.

Author: Khotibul Umam

Yogyakarta, 02 August 2026 – Four days ahead of INCULS regular program odd semester academic year 26/27 starts, students from 12 countries gathered in one of FIB’s auditorium, S.709. Attending the official opening ceremony of INCULS regular program which was held at Gedung Soegondo, Fakultas Ilmu Budaya (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM).

The opening ceremony doubles as the International Student Orientation (ISO) that marks the beginning of our Bahasa Indonesia untuk Penutur Asing (BIPA) friends at exploring the Indonesian Language and its rich culture. For the next five months, Yogyakarta will be their home, and INCULS will be their friend for the time being. At INCULS, not only do the students learn Indonesian language, but also will be learning the culture of Indonesia.With many chances to experience the culture such as, interacting with the Jogja locals, study tours, and many more fun activities outside the class.

In this ceremony, essential information regarding studies and the little things like how people in Jogja are, among other things, were socialized to BIPA students of INCULS. Small things like how the food and drinks are; the locals; the norms in Indonesia; and many more. So the students were given crucial information about the place they will live in for the semester that will be of definite help in the long run. As well as giving them insights about the culture in Indonesia, especially Jogja.

INCULS hopes the Regular Program will continue to become a place for our BIPA friends to bloom and to become a bridge connecting Indonesia and other parts of the world.Through this program, not just the language, but also the culture will become a great asset for them in the future. Good luck, best wishes on your studies everyone. 

Penulis: Dydo Athaya Rafif (INCULS) 

On Thursday, 3 September 2026, the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), conducted a visit and held the first meeting of its community engagement program at SMA Negeri 1 Depok, Sleman. The activity marked the beginning of a collaboration between the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture at FIB UGM and SMA Negeri 1 Depok, Sleman, through the Pendidikan Khas Kejogjaan (PKJ) program.

The PKJ program is designed to introduce students to various aspects of Javanese language and culture, particularly the Javanese script, unggah-ungguh (Javanese etiquette and social conduct), Javanese character values, and cultural knowledge that can be applied in everyday life. The program provides a learning space that brings together academic knowledge and direct cultural experiences.

The first meeting began with opening remarks by the Head of the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Dr. Sulistyowati, S.S., M.Hum. The session was followed by an introduction to the team that will serve as facilitators throughout the program. The facilitator team consists of alumni and students of the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture:

1. Faradilla Putri Margaretha
2. Endar Sasmito Aji
3. Fauzan Adi Fadlurahman
4. Anggit Galuh Ajar Amanah
5. Wening Hidayati
6. Pesdhi Sekar Hayumay
7. Maysa Putri Fatihah
8. Muhamad Rafi Nur Fauzy
9. Pingky Putri Khairani
10. Meifira Arini Pitaloka
11. Lakshita Pradnya Dayinta
12. Dian Patmisari

In addition to introducing the facilitator team, the first meeting featured sessions delivered by two lecturers from the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture. Dr. Yosephin Apriastuti Rahayu, S.S., M.Hum., presented an introduction to Nusantara scripts, including the Javanese script. Meanwhile, Dr. Bima Slamet Raharja, S.S., M.A., discussed the use of Javanese language and culture in everyday life. The sessions were delivered interactively, allowing students to explore aspects of Javanese culture through learning activities closely connected to their everyday experiences.

The first meeting marked the beginning of a series of seven scheduled sessions. Following the introductory meeting, the second through seventh sessions will be facilitated by the team through learning activities and practical sessions with Grade 10 students of SMA Negeri 1 Depok.

The program also contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through Javanese language and cultural learning in a school setting; SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) through expanding access to cultural knowledge and learning opportunities; and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through efforts to preserve and pass on Javanese culture to younger generations. In addition, the collaboration between the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture at FIB UGM and SMA Negeri 1 Depok supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions and schools.

Through this series of activities, the community engagement program serves not only as an application of academic knowledge but also as a collaborative space for introducing and strengthening young people’s understanding of Javanese language and culture.

 

Author: Haryo Untoro