Yogyakarta, June, 4 2026 — A public lecture featuring Min Seong Kim was held on Thursday, June 4, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Room 205 of the Poerbatjaraka Building. On this occasion, Kim delivered a presentation entitled “Trembling Grounds of the Archipelago: Pluriversal Ontopolitics and More-than-Human Antagonism,” a study that reexamines the foundational assumptions of pluriversal politics through ecological and political experiences emerging across the Indonesian archipelago.

In his presentation, Kim addressed ongoing debates surrounding pluriversal politics that have recently gained prominence within environmental studies, decolonial thought, and posthumanist scholarship. As articulated by a number of contemporary thinkers, pluriversal politics seeks to challenge the modern worldview that separates humans from nature and treats the world as an object to be mastered and controlled. Instead, this perspective emphasizes that life is constituted through networks of interdependent relations among humans and a wide range of nonhuman entities, including animals, plants, landscapes, and the material forces of the earth.

According to Kim, pluriversal politics is generally grounded in the assumption that relationality constitutes the ontological basis of life. From this perspective, politics is understood as the effort to establish and sustain relationships that enable diverse forms of existence to coexist. However, Kim questioned whether relationality can truly serve as an adequate foundation for understanding political dynamics, particularly when confronted with conflict, tension, and division that cannot always be resolved through reconciliation and relational repair.

To develop this critique, Kim drew on the works of Adam Bobbette and Sophie Chao, whose research explores various forms of human–nonhuman relations in Indonesia. The cases they examine demonstrate that interconnectedness among beings does not necessarily produce harmony. Rather, such relations are often marked by frictions, competing interests, and forms of instability that reveal the political dimensions of the more-than-human world. The presence of nonhuman actors in politics, therefore, not only creates possibilities for collaboration and relationality but also gives rise to antagonisms that shape social and ecological fields.

Building on this reading, Kim connected the question of more-than-human politics to the tradition of post-foundational political thought, particularly the concept of antagonism developed by Ernesto Laclau. Within this framework, antagonism refers to the condition that no social order can ever be fully complete, final, or free from conflict. Every attempt to establish order inevitably encounters something that cannot be fully integrated into the existing system. Politics, therefore, is never simply a matter of creating relationships; it must also contend with the limits, tensions, and forms of negativity that accompany every mode of collective existence.

Through this analysis, Kim proposed that conflict and negativity should occupy a more central place in discussions of pluriversalism. Rather than treating relationality as a pre-given foundation, he argued that collective life—whether among humans or between humans and nonhumans—is always shaped through processes of negotiation, struggle, and antagonism that can never be entirely eliminated.

The public lecture offered a critical perspective on contemporary developments in political theory and ecological thought while opening a space for reflection on how societies understand their relationship with a world that extends beyond the human. At a time of growing concern over ecological crises and interspecies relations, Kim’s presentation provided a compelling framework for understanding conflict, tension, and uncertainty as inseparable dimensions of political life itself.

Author: Khotibul Umam

Novel Si Anak Pemberani Tere Liye’s work once again feels relevant to various phenomena occurring in Indonesia today. Through the character of Eliana, readers are invited to see how a young girl’s courage can become a voice for the underprivileged, often marginalized by power and vested interests.

In the story, the villagers must face threats to their living space. This situation is reminiscent of numerous ongoing issues in Indonesia, from land conflicts and environmental degradation to the struggles of indigenous peoples and villagers to defend their homes. In these conditions, the common people are often in a vulnerable position, while major decisions are often made without truly listening to their voices.

Eliana’s character stands as a symbol of courage in fighting injustice. She doesn’t remain silent when she sees things that harm those around her. This figure also demonstrates the crucial role women play in social struggles. Today, more and more women in Indonesia are standing at the forefront of speaking out on environmental issues, education, and community rights, despite often facing pressure and challenges.

Through a warm story that is close to everyday life,The Brave Boyis not only a novel about childhood, but also a reflection on the courage to speak out. This book reminds us that change often begins with the courage of ordinary people who choose not to remain silent when facing injustice around them.

Author: Faiza S.

A student of the Arabic Literature Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), class of 2023, Pandhita Hapsari, achieved an outstanding accomplishment by securing a place in the Top 10 of the 2026 Prime Minister’s International Malay Speech Competition (PABM), held in Malaysia. The international Malay speech contest brought together participants from various countries, including Burundi, Italy, Russia, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and several others. The contestants came from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Pandhita’s achievement attracted attention because she comes from a Javanese background rather than a Malay cultural environment. Meanwhile, many other participants were native Malay speakers or originated from regions with strong Malay cultural roots. Despite this, Pandhita successfully competed against international participants and advanced to the Top 10. In the competition, Pandhita delivered a speech on the challenges faced by the Malay language in the modern era. She highlighted the impacts of globalization, the rapid development of digital technology, and the changing communication patterns among younger generations on the sustainability of the Malay language today.

The competition series lasted for one week, from 2 to 9 May 2026. The preliminary round was conducted online approximately one week before the participants’ departure announcement. After arriving in Malaysia on 2 May, participants competed in the quarterfinal round on 4 May, the semifinal round on 6 May, and the final round on 8 May 2026. Although she did not win the championship title, Pandhita expressed gratitude for the valuable experience and opportunities she gained throughout the competition.

“For me, this was not merely a competition, but also an opportunity to learn about culture, language, and to meet people from various countries,” she said. During her stay in Malaysia, Pandhita also experienced the warm hospitality extended by the organizing committee and the local community toward international participants.“We were welcomed very warmly during our time there. This experience has made me appreciate our shared language and culture even more,” she added. Pandhita returned to Indonesia on Saturday, 9 May 2026, after the entire series of activities had concluded. Her achievement of reaching the Top 10 in an international competition is expected to inspire Indonesian students to continue striving for excellence and confidently compete on the global stage.

Author : Pandhita Hapsari

Yogyakarta, April, 24 2026 – The Balai Bahasa Provinsi Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada signed a cooperation agreement concerning the synergy of language and literature development, cultivation, and preservation through the strategic role of higher education institutions. This activity formed part of an effort to strengthen collaboration between language institutions and academic institutions in maintaining the sustainability of language and literature amid the dynamics of globalization.

The cooperation agreement was signed by Drs. Umar Solikhan, M.Hum., as the Head of the Yogyakarta Language Office and Dr. Mimi Savitri, M.A. as the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni Affairs of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. Through this partnership, both parties committed to developing various collaborative programs in the fields of education, language development, and academic advancement, including student internships, language competency enhancement, regional language preservation, academic activities, and the development of the Indonesian for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) program.

The event was also attended by representatives of the Badan Pengembangan dan Pembinaan Bahasa as well as heads of language offices from several provinces, including Banten, West Java, Central Java, and East Java. The presence of these stakeholders reflected the importance of cross-regional synergy in strengthening both language policies and the implementation of national language programs.

In his remarks, Drs. Umar Solikhan, M.Hum., emphasized that the Language Office’s attention is directed not only toward the status of the Indonesian language, but also toward the sustainability of regional languages. According to him, the preservation of regional languages is one of the major tasks that urgently needs to be strengthened.

“Indonesia possesses extraordinary linguistic diversity. However, the current condition is certainly far from ideal. Our younger generation seems to be increasingly unfamiliar with regional languages and finds it difficult to use them.”

He further explained that the Language Office would strengthen regional language preservation efforts through several measures, such as improving teachers’ competencies and the quality of regional language instruction, adjusting educational curricula, and empowering local communities. In this context, the cooperation between the Yogyakarta Language Office and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences serves as one concrete step in supporting these efforts.

Through this collaboration, it is hoped that an ecosystem supporting the strengthening of Indonesian and regional linguistic and literary identities can be established, while also encouraging innovation in linguistic studies and practices relevant to contemporary societal needs. One concrete initiative that has already been implemented is the development of a Javanese language corpus organized by the Yogyakarta Language Office with the involvement of students from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, FIB UGM.

Author : Haryo Untoro
Editor : Haryo Untoro

Yogyakarta, May 16, 2026 – At Pondok A. Salam Kalimasada in Pakem, Sleman, Yogyakarta, a new chapter of Matragama became more than merely an organizational agenda. It transformed into a gathering space for people who believe that literature still needs to be nurtured collectively. Since 6:00 PM WIB, people arrived one by one, bringing voices, stories, laughter, and memories. They sat on woven mats in the cold night air, while the dim light in the corner of the lodge made every conversation feel more intimate. The event was attended by the extended Matragama family from various generations, doctoral students of Humanities Studies, and invited guests from Middle Eastern Cultural Studies, American Studies, Linguistics, History, Anthropology, and various circles within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM.

Since its establishment in 2022 under the leadership of Billy, Matragama has continued moving forward through a relay of generations. Leadership was then continued by Awan in the second generation, and now enters a new phase with Brian steering the third generation. That evening marked a sign that the relay had not stopped. Amid the cold air of Pakem and the warmth of conversations beginning to grow, Matragama seemed to be rediscovering its flame.

The head of Matragama, Giandra Febrian Haidar, opened the event in a calm yet confident tone. In his remarks, he expressed hope that literature would not remain confined to classrooms alone, but would also grow in gathering spaces, through long nights, and among people who still wish to listen to one another.

The Head of UGM’s Master’s Program in Literature, Aprinus Salam, was also present and delivered warm remarks. Before the students and invited guests, he emphasized the importance of organizing and building communities as part of intellectual and cultural processes. According to him, literature cannot live in isolation. It grows through encounters, conversations, and collective work. Aprinus also stated that Pondok A. Salam Kalimasada could serve as a venue for literary and artistic activities—an open house for anyone wishing to keep the pulse of culture alive.

After the opening session, warmly guided by Pute as the host, poem after poem began to be recited. Short stories were brought to life through voices. Under the theme Little Candles at the Foot of Merapi, moments of silence felt deeply meaningful, as though everyone was gathering something from within themselves. The readers appeared one after another: M. Iqbal Saputra, Romzul Falah, Awabeen Samsuding, Ella Manikam, Nuzul Ilmiawan, Islahudin Muhammad, Khatibul Umam, and several invited guests. They did not merely read poetry, but also shared anxieties and inner experiences with the audience.

At times, the sound of crickets slipped between the poetry readings. Some listeners bowed their heads in silence as the poems were recited. Then a light drizzle fell gently, as though helping preserve the calm and warmth of the night. As the rain grew heavier, some participants slowly moved to the terrace and inside the lodge while continuing to listen attentively. Words continued floating through the night air, mingling with the cold winds from the slopes of Mount Merapi and the aroma of coffee and boiled soybeans wafting from the lodge.

In between sessions, M. Iqbal Saputra, a committee member from the technical division, shared his reflections on the importance of literary appreciation nights such as this. According to him, events like the launch of Matragama are something that should exist amidst the turbulence of changing times. He said that poetry, storytelling, and even simple discussions are efforts to become whole human beings again—to see life from various perspectives and then determine one’s path, whether through writing, action, or perhaps simply through a smile.

One of the evening’s most captivating moments came through a dramatic reading by Luthfi, a doctoral student in Humanities at UGM. The dramatic performance transformed the text from mere writing into a moving body, a pulsating voice, and emotions vividly alive before the audience’s eyes. The invited guests were swept into the intimate yet energetic atmosphere.

In the middle of the appreciation night, Rini Febriani Hauri read her short story titled The Three Deaths of Dayang Temulun in a calm and rhythmic voice. The climax of the event came when Rini’s short story was discussed collectively. The discussion was moderated by Giandra, featuring Ricky Yudhistira Nasution, a doctoral student in Humanities at UGM, as the speaker. The short story, which won Second Place in the 2025 International HB Jassin Award, was explored through the lens of magical realism—a landscape where bodies, earth, trees, mist, and memories coexist without rigid boundaries between the real and the supernatural. The discussion unfolded warmly. It examined how literature operates within collective memory, myth, the body, and human history. Participants listened enthusiastically; some remained silent in contemplation, while others immersed themselves in endless interpretive possibilities.

The night grew later, yet no one truly wished to leave. After the entire series of events concluded, the atmosphere became more relaxed. Some people sang together, while others chatted freely, joked, and shared long laughter. Some sat in circles discussing books and literature, while others simply enjoyed the night while exchanging unfinished life stories beyond the formal forum. It was there that Matragama truly felt alive—not in banners, event schedules, or ceremonial formalities, but in encounters and conversations that continued glowing deep into the night.

Several invited guests from various departments and communities within UGM’s Faculty of Cultural Sciences also shared reflections and hopes for Matragama. Representatives from Middle Eastern Cultural Studies, American Studies, Linguistics, History, and Anthropology expressed hopes that inter-organizational bonds would continue warmly. They also wished for Matragama to have a long life and remain consistent as a shared space for nurturing literature, art, and culture.

At the foot of Merapi that night, literature appeared like little candles—not grand, but enough to keep the warmth of encounters and conversations alive. The drizzle still fell softly as people slowly began leaving Pondok Kalimasada one by one.

Author: Rini Febriani Hauri