The Visiting Professor National Seminar organized by the American Studies Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences on Monday, February 19, 2024 at the Auditorium of the Soegondo building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, is one of a series of events to commemorate the retirement of Prof. Ida Rochani Adi, S.U. The seminar was named “Seminar on Popular Culture and Literature” led by moderator: Dr. Herman Felani, M.A. with Prof. Ida who acted directly as Keynote Speaker. The National Seminar event also presented two professors, both of whom are alumni of the American Studies Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, namely Prof. Mister Gideon Maru from Universitas Negri Manado who acted as the first presenter and Prof. Nuriadi from Mataram University who acted as the second presenter. Both Prof. Gidion and Prof. Nuriadi discussed the social society’s view on the phenomenon of American popular culture and literature and its influence in Indonesia.

According to the view of the speakers at the seminar, literature is something that is always synonymous with “fiction”, “the result of fantasy”, “imagination”, and “fabrications” made up by the author. Although not wrong, this view tends to “degrade” literature as a creative work, and a science in the social humanities. In fact, in a deeper sense, literary works are expressions of feelings, thoughts, views on life, character principles, and ideal visions of life that are owned or dreamed of by a writer either in the form of “fiction” (novels, short stories, folklore, legends, etc.), or “non-fiction” (letters, essays, speeches, biographies, autobiographies, etc.). This discussion can be seen from the themes discussed by the speakers: American Literature in the Puritan Era as well as Popular Culture. The extraordinary discussion was closed with comments from Prof. Ida, then continued with the giving of souvenirs and certificates for moderators and presenters as well as group photos.

In addition to the Seminar in Popular Culture and Literature, another agenda that attracted literature enthusiasts in the series of Prof. Ida Rochadi Adi, S.U.’s After-Duty events was the Book Review [R]EVOLUTION OF SASTRA IN THE DIGITAL ERA: Theoretical and Historical Perspectives whose author is none other than Prof. Ida herself. The agenda, which began at 10.30 at the same place and date, was also one of a series of retirement events for Prof. Dr. Ida Rochani Adi, S.U. Guided by two other moderators, Dr. Anna Sriastuti, M.Hum. from Satya Wacana Christian University, Salatiga and Dr. Rif’ah Innayati, M.A. from Trunojoyo University, Madura. Both explained that the book aims to respond to technological developments that are able to change the mature order of one discipline. While trying to capture the lament of a discipline that faces the dilemma of technological change, the book also tries to offer a framework of thought in responding to the development of the digital world in the world of literature using theoretical and historical perspectives. In addition to providing food for thought and contemplation, the book also provides new ideas on the phenomenon of literary works in the development of the digital world in the modern era. Finally, both speakers strongly recommended reading the book because it can really open up thoughts about literature in the digital era.

SDG 4: Quality education | SDGs 4: Education for sustainability | SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth | SDGs 8: Decent work for all | SDGs 9: Affordable access | SDG 10: Reduced inequalities | SDGs 10: Education | SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities | SDGs 11: Adaptable | SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions | SDGs 16: Accountable institutions

The happy graduates and their parents were present at the Raden Soegondo Building Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM / to take part in the Mangayubagya Graduate Program Graduate Program Third period Academic Year 2023/2024 on April 24, 2024. As usual before starting the event, do not forget the Master of Ceremony, which at that time was entrusted to Vivin and Diyah, conveyed some information for safety and smoothness during the event. The audience was then asked to stand while the Dean, Deputy Dean, Head of Department, and Head of Postgraduate Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada entered the ceremony room. After all attendees were in the room, the MC welcomed everyone. 

The event began with several speeches. The first speech, from the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, will be represented by the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, M.Hum. The second speech will be delivered by the Deputy Graduate of the Middle East Cultural Studies Master Program, Br. Rafika Fidlaty Zulfa, M.A. The event continued with the presentation of Beksan Nirbaya Dance performed by FIB UGM students who are members of the Sastro Obah student activity unit. Beksan Nirbaya or Edan-edanan dance is one of dozens of dances in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The dance is named “Edan-edanan Nirbaya Dance”. “Nir” which means reject, “Baya” which means danger so that this dance is interpreted as a dance that rejects danger, especially during the wedding procession or other major events. With four dancers and pairs, this dance was created not only as a ritual to repel bad luck, but also as entertainment.

The next event was the submission of graduation documents consisting of English diplomas and transcripts. The graduation documents were submitted by each Head of Study Program to the graduates. The graduates came forward in an orderly manner to receive the graduation documents followed by a group photo. Before closing, the event was paused for a moment to pray for protection and safety for us and goodness for the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The joint prayer was led by Br. Cahya Daru, M.A. Finally, the Dean, Deputy Deans, Heads of Departments, and Heads of Postgraduate Study Programs, Faculty of Sciences followed by graduates and parents / guardians were allowed to leave the ceremony room. The organizing committee would like to thank you for your presence in this mangayubagya event.

SDGs 2: Food | SDG 10: Reduced inequalities | SDGs 10: Culture | SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities | SDGs 11: Cultural heritage | SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production | SDGs 12: Consumption

Hello, Mahadaya and Friends of FIB UGM! On Wednesday, 27th of March 2024, the Big Family of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM held an iftar attended by a number of lecturers, teaching staff, part-timer students, retired lecturers and teaching staff, representatives of LEM / HMJ / BSO organizations, and other FIB UGM families. The event was held in the Auditorium of FIB UGM, located on the 7th floor of Soegondo Building at 16.15 – 18.00. This routine event, which is held every Ramadan, aims to maintain and strengthen the kinship between fellow faculty members in order to maintain good synergy in any condition.

Iftar together this time began with a release session and giving mementos to the retired lecturers and teaching staff of FIB UGM for the period of 2023 to March 2024. The event then continued with a session of reading the holy verses of the Quran and saritilawah about the importance of fasting. Next was the recitation agenda where the lecture session was filled by a special speaker, Mr. drh. H. Agung Budiyanto, MP, Ph.D, who presented a lecture topic on the virtues and essence of fasting during the month of Ramadan. The event ended with a closing prayer and continued with breakfasting together. The meal consisted of various snacks and heavy meals. There were also gifts for the guests to take home.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger | SDGs 2: End hunger | SDG 5: Gender equality | SDGs 5: Equality | SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation | SDGs 6: Clean water | SDG 10: Reduced inequalities | SDGs 10: Children | SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities | SDGs 11: Community | SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions | SDGs 16: Conflicts | SDG 17: Partnerships for goals | SDGs 17: Global partnership

In the midst of the raging conflict, the Palestinian people continue to struggle tirelessly to survive. To find out more about their condition and struggle, students of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada attended a TALK SHOW entitled “The Struggle of Palestinian Women and Children Amidst the Israeli Onslaught” with FATMA ALGHUSAIN as the guest speaker. She is the Executive Director of Amna Care Fund, an organization that helps the Palestinian people, especially women and children. “I have experienced four wars while living in Palestine. But this one is not a war. This is genocide!” She said. Mrs Fatma Alghusain also explained the current situation in Palestine.

This activity will be held on Tuesday, 26 March 2024 at 11.00 – 13.00 WIB at Soegondo Building 709 for participants who can attend offline, and via the zoom link for participants who can only follow the event remotely or online. As a form of solidarity for the freedom of the Palestinian people, talk show participants can also prepare their best infaq. In addition to students, the event was also attended by the Head of Arabic Literature Study Programme UGM, Dr Zulfa Purnamawati, S. S., M.Hum. and Mr Imam Hidayat, S.Pd.I., M.Pd. as a representative of Dompet Dhuafa Yogyakarta. After the Q&A session ended, the Head of Arabic Literature UGM handed over souvenirs to the speakers. With this cooperation between the Arabic literature programme and the Dompet Dhuafa, it is hoped that it can make people aware of the current conditions in Palestine.

SDG 3: Good health and well-being | SDG 10: Reduced inequalities | SDGs 10: Children | SDG 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions | SDGs 16: Accountable institutions

The highlight of the activitiy series celebrating the 78th Anniversary of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, was successfully held with great fanfare on Saturday 2nd March 2024 in the faculty yard. This event has a unique name, namely GADIES, which is an abbreviation for Gebyar Acara Dies. The attendees consisting of lecturers, staff and their families, began to come to the event from around 6.30 am and filled in the guest book which would then be used as a door prize draw. Before announcing the door prizes, the first event started with a healthy walk along the route: Faculty of Cultural Sciences – Campus Mosque – Faculty of Psychology – Faculty of Law – Rectorate Building – then back to the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The faculty provides invited guests with a variety of food and drinks ranging from satay, meatballs, pecel rice, fruit ice, tea, and various kinds of boiled food. Eating food without a performance seems incomplete, that’s when Sastro Obah’s appearance makes the atmosphere more interesting.

The event was officially opened with speechfrom the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si.,. Not only did he open the event, but also he launched the superior programs of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, such as PERPUSTRA (Perpustakaan Sastra), POSBINDU, EOFIICE, and DIGLIB. The event became even more lively with further performances from other various cool performers, namely poetry readings by students of Indonesian Literature, Karawitan Dharma Wanita, Prasasti, Rampoe, and Korean Fan Dance. A door prize draw was announced between performances. The prizes prepared varied from the smallest, such as plates, to the largest, such as bicycles. At the same time, children from lecturers and staff from grades 1 to 6 of elementary school competed in a coloring and drawing competition held in the hallway of the Soegondo building.

Beside the free food booths that the committee had provided for invited guests, there were also other booths that enliven the event such as exhibition booths for study programs, sponsors, junk food, accessories, health tests by POSBINDU, books by PERPUSTRA, and even a 360 degrees photo booth which became the favorite among guests, especially women. When the sun was starting to sting, it indicated that it was starting to be noon and that meant that GADIES had reached the end of the event. At that time, the winners of the badminton, cleanliness and coloring/drawing competitions were announced. The event then closed with a music group entertainment performance with singers chosen at random or who volunteered to come on stage to show their singing talents.