As an implementation of collaboration between Busan University of Foreign Studies (BUFS) and Gadjah Mada University (UGM), INCULS was holding an intensive Special Lecture Korea-Indonesia & Indonesia-Korea Interpretation program. A total of 9 BUFS students for 2 weeks starting from January 15th 2024 had undergone language learning, especially regarding the Interpretation course at INCULS (Indonesian Language and Culture Learning Service), Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University. On Friday, January 26th 2024, the closing ceremony was held in the Soegondo building, room 721, 13.00-15.00 West Indonesia Time.

The closing agenda featured several speeches coming from INCULS staff, program teachers, and representatives of participants who were BUFS students. From INCULS, there was a deputy coordinator who provided reporting on the entire program where this intensive learning was carried out specifically regarding the Interpretation course which includes Medical, Tourism, Events and Business topics. The INCULS Coordinator gave a speech and officially closed the program. There were two teachers who also gave speeches. And last, there was a speech from one of the students who expressed his good impression during the program and also expressed his gratitude for the valuable knowledge that had been provided.

The event closed by giving a certificate to each student participating in the program. Even though at the beginning of the learning period it could be said to be very difficult, as time went on the process felt easier because the program participants were able to adapt well day by day. Gratitude colored the closing event because the learning process went smoothly and gave a good impression to all participants. Hopefully the experience gained will be a valuable experience. Always enthusiastic and successful! Hopefully we’ll meet again soon!

The elected Chair of the KAGAMA FIB-Ikasasdaya Alumni for 2022-2027, Paksi Raras Alit, is a graduated student of Javanese Literature at his Bachelor’s level and Master of Literature at his Master’s level at from Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University. This man, who was born on June 16th 1985 in Jogja, apparently has had the blood of an artist since birth. How could it not be, he was born into a family and environment of artists. His mother, Noor W.A (rest in peace), was a Jogja theater figure who founded the Jeprik Theater and initiated the sampakan theater genre in the 1980s. Since he was a toddler, Paksi has even been involved in staging several Jeprik theater plays, such as “Megatruh (Sendrek)”. During his school era, his artistic skills were further honed by regularly representing his school in several art competitions and winning several trophies and awards. He continued his enthusiasm for art at school after entering college. 

During college, Paksi increasingly demonstrated his existence in the world he was interested in. He was a part of several music arts communities and several bands such as Revolver, Community of Terang Bulan Acoustic Malioboro, Bonanza, and Jasmine Akustik which released an album in 2011. It wasn’t enough just to join, Paksi then created the Mantradisi Arts Group which explored music and Macapat, and released works in the album compilation of Tembi Music Festival in 2016. Paksi then acted as a scriptwriter, director and musician in Mantradisi’s works. Apart from Mantradisi, Paksi also founded a group called PAKSIBAND. This Javanese keroncong group has successfully released several singles such as “Keroncong Suka-suka” (2021), “Gembira Loka” (2022), and “Keroncong Lebaran” (2022).

Beside being busy in the world of music, Paksi is also involved in the world of acting. He was involved as an actor in the performance “Dongeng Cinta-Ceuk Aing” (2020) by Sujiwo Tejo, and played as the main actor in the musical film “Ayun-ayun Negeri” (2021) by Garin Nugroho. In the world of literature and culture, Paksi is active in the movement to preserve Javanese language and script. This is proven by him establishing the Jawacana community which is involved in Javanese literature. This community consists of UGM Javanese Literature alumni as well as Javanese literature and culture activists in Yogyakarta. Paksi Raras Alit also has activities in organizing arts and culture festivals in Yogyakarta. Amazingly, Paksi was appointed as a member of the Yogyakarta City Cultural Council in 2021.

The Japan Foundation is a non-profit institution owned by the Japanese government which is specifically dedicated to international cultural exchange activities. This institution seeks to create various activities and provide facilities and information so that individuals can interact with each other with the aim of deepening mutual understanding between Japanese society and other countries through arts and cultural exchange activities, education and learning Japanese in abroad, and Japanese studies abroad, and also collect the material and then distribute it. Even though it is based in Tokyo, The Japan Foundation already has 24 branch offices spread throughout the world. One of them is in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Japan Foundation Jakarta is tasked with carrying out activities initiated by the head office, contributing to Japanese and Indonesian cultural exchange activities, supporting and collaborating with external organizations, conducting research, and providing information related to all cultural exchange activities carried out by The Japan Foundation.

In order to provide support and strengthen collaboration, the Japan Foundation (JF) Jakarta visited the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, Gadjah Mada University on Friday 26th of January 2024 at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The visit from the Japan Foundation (JF) Jakarta was represented by Deputy Mr. Yamazaki Takaya and Mrs. Kadoi Minako from the division of Japan Language Education. On this occasion, a meeting was held to discuss the cooperation that has existed for approximately 35 years since the establishment of the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Science, Gadjah Mada University in 1989. Apart from that, there were several important things that were also discussed, including making plans regarding future cooperation, discussing the development of Japanese science and the challenges faced in the current and future eras. It is hoped that this meeting will have a positive impact on the cooperative relationship between the two organizations in the future. In this way, the goals of both the Japan Foundation (JF) and the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program, especially in the field of education, can be carried out well.

The current threat of a food crisis is being responded to by various parties. The development of alternative food such as the processing of konjac is being attempted by the Community Service Team of the Department of Anthropology. The team consists of Dr. Atik Triratnawati, M.A., Prof. Dr. Bambang Hudayana, M.A., Muhammad Zamzam Fauzanafi, M.A., along with two students named Eka Yuniati and Ferdy Azmal Fakhrani. This community service program is a continuation of the previous year’s program with the same theme, “Development of Konjac-based Culinary in Karangpatihan Village, Ponorogo Regency, East Java.” The continuation of the program took place in August 2023 in four hamlets: Krajan, Selodono, Dungus, and Jurugan.

Konjac, or in Indonesia is called porang, was chosen as an alternative food because it is a local Indonesian commodity which has great potential in the international market. For example, what has been done in Madiun, one kilogram of konjac can cost up to Rp. 14,000. One hectare of fertile land can produce around 80 tons of tubers for one harvest within two years. One of the most popular products made by konjac is shirataki rice, which has a high selling price. Konjac grows a lot in Ponorogo and there is one of the programs initiated by the Ponorogo Regional Government which aims to provide stimulants in the form of seeds and supporting the existence of a konjac farmer association. Other than that, Perhutani, which is a State-Owned Enterprise in the Form of Public Company which focuses on the task and authority to manage state forest resources, also provides access to farmers to plant konjac around perennial crops. Based on this fact, the community service team conducted training assistance in processing konjac-based food. In addition, a cooking competition was also held to motivate the locals to be more enthusiastic in creating innovations related to this food recipe. Then the activity was closed with a focus group discussion (FGD) to listen to the aspirations of women who joined the family welfare movement (PKK)  in the four hamlets, Karangpatihan Village, Pulung District, Ponorogo Regency. This program needs to be done because, until now, the society perceives that konjac can cause an itchy feeling. By implementing this community service program, the community will develop a new perspective that konjac has many benefits. Apart from that, we really hope that the dissemination of knowledge and skills can make konjac-based food into an alternative food in Ponorogo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image 1.1: Dawet porang: one of the konjac-based culinary that has been taught to the members of PKK in Karangpatihan Village, Pulung, Ponorogo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image 1.2: Various kinds of konjac-based culinary made by one of the groups who participated in the competition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image 1.3: The winners of the development of a konjac-based culinary competition.

 

Ending 2023, the FCS UGM English Literature Pradangga (Prasasti) gamelan group will perform in two places. Saturday, December 30, 2023, invited by the Wonogiri Regency Youth and Sports Department to perform at the 2023 Creative Economy Festival (Fesmikraf). The activity was centered in the Wonogiri City Square, starting at 16.00 and ending at 22.30.

The annual festival was attended by 12 art groups, most of whom were junior high school students and art studios. Prasasti is the only student group that comes from outside the Wonogiri Regency. The gamelan group led by Jardin Urbania Basundoro was allowed to go on stage at 21.00.

After the performance in Wonogiri, Prasasti was invited by the Indonesian Art Lovers and Artists Student Forum (Formatasindo) to perform on New Year’s Eve, 31 December 2023. The arts performance activity entitled 12th Gamelan Parade 2023, is an annual activity initiated by the Trustee of Formatasindo, Dr.Sukisno, M.Pd. Activities are always placed at the Omah Tinggi Arts and Culture, Tritunggal Cultural Area, Tegalcorocanan Solodiran Manisrenggo Klaten.

The 12th Gamelan Parade which took place from 13.00 and ended at 01.00, was attended by 20 gamelan groups from various universities in Yogyakarta. Prasasti is one of the gamelan groups representing FIB UGM to perform this activity.

On that occasion, Prasasti performed two songs, respectively entitled Naliswati and Hyang, which were the works of Nanang Karbito. Nanang Karbito is an Inscription trainer daily. The man from Klaten is a composer of contemporary musical songs.

Naliswati tells the story of a couple’s relationship which fails halfway, while Hyang is a song that glorifies the glory of God. Through the song Hyang, humans are reminded to always remember the greatness and all the gifts from Almighty God.

Jardin Urbania Basundoro, who was interviewed by the MC after the performance, said that Prasasti is a gamelan group that has existed for a long time at FIB UGM. This group brings together English Literature students who are interested in practicing and playing gamelan which is a noble legacy of their ancestors. Through this activity, students are directed to carry out positive activities while practicing gentleness.

Author: Prof. Dr. Purnawan Basundoro, S.S., M.Hum.