Monday, April 29, 2024, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM received a visit from Tgk Chiek Oemar Diyan Modern Islamic Boarding School from Aceh Besar Regency, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Province. This visit is part of a study tour organized by the boarding school for students accompanied by supervisors and representatives of the Modern Islamic Boarding School Tgk Chiek Oemar Diyan to introduce the students to the campus environment of Universitas Gadjah Mada, especially studies at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. Not only as an introduction, but also as a motivation to pursue higher education, considering that one of the students named Ahmad Faiz Musyarraf successfully passed the Physics Engineering study program through the results of the National Selection Based on Test (SNBT) Year 2023.

On this special occasion, one of the lecturers and Professor of the Anthropology Study Program, Prof. Dr. Irwan Abdul, also shared the story of his journey to study at the UGM Cultural Anthropology study program in his time. The professor, who was born in North Aceh, gave a message to the students to cultivate persistence and never give up, which was also the spirit of Prof. Dr. Irwan Abdul during his efforts to get an education at Gadjah Mada University and during his migration in Yogyakarta during his undergraduate studies at UGM. Through his message, he also mentioned the wide open opportunities in the future open to anyone who is brave and steadfast in the learning process.

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.

Yogyakarta, Saturday, March 9, 2024 – The culmination of the 18th annual Korean Day was held by the Korean Language and Culture Study Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The performers blended the cultures of the two countries through their costumes to adding a touch of Indonesian culture into their performances, for example by performing not only Korean songs, but also Indonesian songs.

This year, Korean Day was themed “Hallyunesia Wonderland” to celebrate Indonesian and Korean culture. The event was also enlivened by performances from various dongari (clubs) of UGM Korean Language and Culture Study Program, namely Samulnori, Hansamchum, Katarsis Sing, Katarsis Dance, Talchum, and Buchaechum. There were food, beverage, and accessory tenants that filled the venue. The Random Play Dance session and the appearance of the guest star, Nadafid, were the highlights of the event. Then, there was also a Noraebang (karaoke) session which also closed the Korean Day 18 event.

The entire series of the 18th Korean Day event is expected to be a source of inspiration for Korean culture lovers, providing a forum for creativity and community while encouraging the preservation of Indonesian culture. In addition, Korean Day is one of the media forms of cooperation with parties who have contributed to the success of the event.

On Monday, March 4, 2024, at 09.30 WITA, Dr. Arsanti Wulandari, S.S., M.Hum, a lecturer from the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program, became a speaker in a public lecture entitled ‘Philology in Javanese Manuscript Studies’. This activity was organized through the Zoom platform by the Old Javanese Literature Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Udayana University (FIB UNUD).

In the public lecture, Dr. Arsanti Wulandari presented an introduction to philology, reviewed the concept of philology, the object of study, the tasks of philologists, and the final product produced. The presentation was equipped with examples of Javanese manuscripts and their identification, so that the audience could understand about philology more easily. The discussion session that followed provided space for participants to ask various questions, showing their high enthusiasm for the topics discussed.

This public lecture on philology was held in response to the diminishing interest of students in the field of philological studies. However, the government is currently seriously encouraging the excavation of knowledge and values contained in ancient manuscripts. Hopefully, through this kind of activity, interest and understanding of philology can grow again among students.

The importance of understanding and maintaining the sustainability of knowledge and cultural values contained in ancient manuscripts is the focus of this public lecture. By providing knowledge, enthusiasm, and establishing good cooperation, it is hoped that the knowledge and cultural values in ancient manuscripts can be preserved and can then be developed according to the needs of the times.

The Open Senate Meeting in commemoration of the 78th Anniversary of Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM was successfully held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. In the event, one of the lecturers and students of the History Department of FIB UGM won awards as outstanding lecturers and outstanding students. The lecturer is Dr. Agus Suwignyo, M.A. and a History student class of 2020, namely Dinda Nabila.

When interviewed, Dinda Nabila revealed that she felt very grateful for the award that had been given to her. “Alhamdulillah, of course grateful. If you think back a little, I tried many things and of course it wasn’t always smooth. A lot of the behind-the-scenes process is tiring. But with all that, I can cherish every process. But, other than that, I felt like I don’t deserve it, because, yes, there are many friends who are cool and deserve this too,” said Dinda.

Dinda also gave a message to her friends and juniors to keep appreciating every process that is being passed, especially the lecture process. She said, “trust your process, no matter how fast or slow. As long as you have dreams and faith, you’ll get it at your right time. So, from now on, don’t think too much over things you can’t control, just focus on what you can and do your best!”