Yogyakarta, September 21, 2025 – Several students from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a Farewell Concert as both a form of preparation and a collective prayer before competing in the Hamengku Buwono X Cup 2025, which will take place on October 11–12, 2025.

The event opened with remarks from the President of UGM Marching Band, I Gede Bagus Manu Sinarascara Budharta, an Archaeology student from the 2022 cohort who has served two consecutive terms in the UGM Marching Band Student Activity Unit. This was followed by a speech from Hempri Suyatna, S.Sos., M.Si., representative of UGM’s Student Affairs Directorate (Ditmawa), who expressed appreciation and extended full support to the students competing in the championship.

The Hamengku Buwono X Cup is a prestigious national-level marching band competition held regularly in Yogyakarta. It serves as a platform for marching band teams from across Indonesia to showcase their talent, creativity, and sportsmanship.

In this year’s event, UGM Marching Band will feature players from various study programs, including:

• Ataya Sasya Rayna Heradie, Pit Instrument Player (Korean Language and Culture, 2024)
• Tabita Nada Kirana, Pit Instrument Player (Cultural Anthropology, 2024)
• Andieni Ika Bela Safitri, Brass Player (Indonesian Language and Literature, 2024)
• Thiery Vincent Masarrang, Brass Player (French Literature, 2024)
• Dian Khairani, Color Guard (Korean Language and Culture, 2022)
• Sylvy Muthqia, Color Guard (Tourism, 2023)
• Keysha Alya Nashifa, Battery Player (Korean Language and Culture, 2022)
  

In addition, four students hold key managerial roles:

• I Gede Bagus Manu Sinarascara Budharta, President (Archaeology, 2022)
• Alma Syahwalani, Head of Public Relations (Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, 2023)
• Keysha Almira Putri, Drill and Display Coach, Program Director of the Farewell Concert (Tourism, 2023)
• Melati Srigita Putri, Head of Human Resources (History, 2023)
  

The Farewell Concert served not only as a send-off event before the competition but also as an opportunity to strengthen solidarity and support from the UGM academic community. With a spirit of togetherness, UGM Marching Band aspires to bring pride to the university while also contributing to the preservation of marching band music in Indonesia.

This activity also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By supporting the development of students’ potential in the arts and culture, the event fosters quality education. The Farewell Concert and participation in the national competition reflect students’ active role in sustaining performing arts as part of both local and national cultural identity. Moreover, the event represents collaboration between students, the university, and the community—embodying the spirit of partnership to achieve sustainable development.

[Public Relations, FIB UGM – Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, September 17, 2025 – The Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a public lecture titled “Historiography of Indonesian Islam.” The event featured Yumi Sugahara, a scholar from Osaka University, as a visiting lecturer to discuss cross-national perspectives in writing the history of Indonesian Islam.

In her presentation, Sugahara emphasized that historiography is not merely “a record of events,” but also reflects cultural perspectives in constructing historical narratives. She highlighted the differences between Japanese and Indonesian historians, particularly in relation to the intersections of Islam, culture, and national history.

Several significant scholarly works were referenced in her lecture, including M.C. Ricklefs’ A History of Modern Indonesia since c.1200 (4th edition, Macmillan Education UK, 2008), regarded as one of the most authoritative references in modern Indonesian historiography, and Anthony Reid’s Southeast Asia in the Age of Commerce, 1450–1680 (Yale University), which explores the early modern period of maritime Southeast Asia.

The question-and-answer session unfolded dynamically, with discussions ranging from how Japanese and Indonesian societies differently perceive the relationship between religion and national history, to the contrasting perspectives of Japanese, Western, and Indonesian historians in interpreting Islamicate culture in the archipelago.

This public lecture offered fresh insights for students and academics on cross-cultural approaches to the historiography of Indonesian Islam while also strengthening international academic networks.

The event aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by fostering historical literacy and critical understanding, as well as SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through academic collaboration across nations.

[Public Relations Office, FIB UGM – Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 17 September 2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), hosted a school visit from SMA Cikal Amri, East Jakarta. The event was warmly received by the Public Relations team of FIB UGM and provided students with the opportunity to experience academic life and the campus environment at UGM.

The program began with a presentation on the history of FIB UGM, its vision and mission, as well as various academic and non-academic activities. The interactive session allowed students to ask questions and gain deeper insights into learning opportunities and student life at FIB UGM.

After the presentation, the group joined a faculty tour. On the fourth floor, they were introduced to the Indonesian Language and Culture Learning Service (INCULS), a unit that facilitates Indonesian language and cultural learning for international students. The tour continued to Gedung Margono, home to various study programs of FIB UGM. In the same building, students were also invited to visit the Mandala Majapahit Archaeology Museum and the Archaeology Laboratory, both of which play an important role in supporting research and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Through this visit, the students of SMA Cikal Amri not only gained new insights into academic life but also experienced firsthand the importance of preserving language, literature, and culture in both national and international contexts.

This activity reflects FIB UGM’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education through the introduction of inclusive access to higher education, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities through the preservation of cultural heritage in its museum and archaeology laboratory.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, Thursday, September 18, 2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), has once again marked an important academic milestone with the completion of a doctoral research in philology. Rahmat, a doctoral candidate in the Humanities Study Program, successfully defended his dissertation entitled “The Implementation of Serat Sèstradi in Pakualaman Folktales: A Philological Study.” The research was supervised by Promoter Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., and Co-Promoter Dr. Sri Ratna Sakti Mulya, M.Hum.

This dissertation is rooted in the reality that Javanese literature in the Duchy of Pakualaman continues to serve as an intellectual legacy to this day. Literary works, particularly folktales, were produced for internal educational purposes and transmitted across generations. However, the diversity and depth of Pakualaman folktales have not been fully explored in previous scholarly studies.

In his research, Rahmat undertook a comprehensive approach that included inventory, description, transliteration, editing, and translation of folktale texts. He also analyzed the formal structures of the texts and revealed their purposes of creation. Through a critical edition method, the study presents thirteen manuscripts comprising a total of thirty-seven edited and translated folktales.

The findings show that Pakualaman folktales are generally composed in tembang macapat poetic form, containing core ideas and accompanied by liding dongèng or moral messages. These texts were not created merely for entertainment but also served as sources of knowledge and tools for character education. The embedded sèstradi values highlight the binary opposition of good and bad characters, functioning as moral guidance for the younger generation of Pakualaman to grow into noble individuals.

Rahmat further revealed that the creation of these folktales was influenced by the lèlaku (life experiences) of Pakualam as well as the historical context of their time. The messages conveyed through the texts emphasize the cultivation of resilience, perseverance in facing hardships, and the preparation of future generations to embrace societal changes. Thus, Pakualaman folktales function not only as literary heritage but also as vehicles of moral education and wisdom for life. This dissertation defence was also attended by the representatives of Pura Pakualaman GKBRAy Adipati Paku Alam X, GPH Indrokusumo, BRAy Indrokusumo, and GPH Wijoyo Harimurti.

This research contributes significantly to the preservation of Javanese cultural heritage and enriches the field of philology in Indonesia. Moreover, the dissertation aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, by strengthening character education based on local wisdom. It also relates to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, through the preservation of cultural values and traditions that constitute the historical identity of the Pakualaman Duchy.

[Public Relations Office, FIB UGM – Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, September 6, 2025 — The Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, through the K-Lit UGM community, held a Talk Show on the novel Cursed Bunny and an Author Meet with renowned writer Chung Bora. This event was made possible through the collaboration and sponsorship of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea), King Sejong Institute Yogyakarta, and the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, creating a space for dialogue between writers and readers across nations.

In the main session, Chung Bora shared her creative insights and responded to participants’ questions. Many were intrigued by the sources of inspiration behind her horror-themed stories. The author explained that her ideas often stem from everyday experiences, which she then intertwines with horror elements to spark readers’ imagination. Her works also highlight various social issues faced by women, showing how literature can serve as a medium for reflection and empowerment.

The discussion was lively and engaging, with many participants actively joining the Q&A session. This event not only provided an opportunity to learn more about Chung Bora’s works but also expanded literary horizons and fostered international academic networking.

The program concluded with a group photo and a book-signing session, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees. Through activities like this, K-Lit UGM and LTI Korea continue to promote cultural exchange, enrich students’ perspectives, and strengthen global literary connections through literature.

(Nisa Khairuna Sabilla/ Sherina Azmi A.)