JAKARTA – Academics from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) have once again achieved a prestigious milestone on the national stage. Fitrilya Anjarsari, a doctoral student in the Humanities at UGM, was officially named First Prize Winner of the Jakarta Arts Council (DKJ) 2026 Literary Criticism Competition. The announcement was made during the “2026 DKJ Literary Criticism Contest Awards Night,” which took place in a solemn ceremony at the Small Theater Building, Taman Ismail Marzuki, on July 23, 2026.

Fitrilya succeeded in outshining 141 other entries that had passed the administrative screening with her essay titled “The Collapse of Humanity as the Center: Post-Human Tendencies in Contemporary Indonesian Literary Aesthetics.” This victory is not only a source of personal pride but also reflects the depth of intellectual tradition and the sharpness of critical analysis fostered within UGM’s doctoral program.

This year’s contest is held under the overarching theme “The Long Journey of Indonesian Literature.” Fadjriah Nurdiarsih, Chair of the DKJ Literature Committee, explained that this event represents a consistent effort to foster a healthy ecosystem of thought and scholarly tradition. Since its inception in 2007, this competition has served as a vital platform for the emergence of new literary critics capable of offering fresh perspectives on the development of literature.

In his remarks, DKJ Executive Chair Bambang Prihadi emphasized that literary criticism acts as a bridge, enabling works of art to be discussed and appreciated more deeply by the general public. In line with this, Harry Sanjaya, Head of the Management Unit of the Jakarta Arts Center Taman Ismail Marzuki (UPPKJ TIM), stated that a vibrant tradition of criticism is the foundation for the nation’s cultural progress.

The manuscript written by Fitrilya Anjarsari caught the jury’s attention for its bold exploration of post-humanism in Indonesian literature after the year 2000. In the jury’s statement, read by Areispine Dymussaga Miraviori and Asep Subhan, Fitrilya’s work was deemed capable of transcending conventional readings that typically focus on the human subject.

Fitrilya employs cutting-edge references to analyze four literary works as her subject matter, namely:
1. O (2016) by Eka Kurniawan;
2. Semua Ikan di Langit (2017) by Ziggy Zezsyazeoviennazabrizkie;
3. Aroma Karsa (2018) by Dee Lestari;
4. Gentayangan: Pilih Sendiri Petualangan Sepatu Merahmu (2017) by Intan Paramaditha.

In her analysis, Fitrilya demonstrates how non-human elements in these novels are no longer merely background or supplementary elements, but have transformed into story drivers with agency (both material and non-material). The author skillfully weaves together theoretical foundations and formal analysis using simple language that maintains a rigorous scientific structure through the division of subsections, which enhances overall readability.

The judging process was conducted via “blind reading,” in which the judges evaluated the manuscript without knowing the author’s identity or regional origin. This ensures objectivity in determining the winner based on craftsmanship, readability, and the novelty of the arguments.

Although named the winner, the judging panel still provided critical feedback as part of a healthy academic tradition. The judges highlighted the opening section of Fitrilya’s manuscript, where she presented various humanistic trends in the interpretation of contemporary literary works as the basis for her argument. According to the judges, this section lacked concrete examples, leaving room for doubt as to whether these trends actually exist within the current critical landscape or are merely the author’s imagination.

However, these shortcomings were offset by Fitrilya’s keen ability to weave narrative elements into a highly compelling contextual interpretation. The judges concluded that Fitrilya’s manuscript is a highly versatile work that demonstrates the skill of a master reader in charting a new direction for Indonesian literary aesthetics.

Fitrilya Anjarsari’s first-place victory, followed by Cindy Wijaya (2nd place) and Ridwanul Hakim Authonul Muther (3rd place), demonstrates the dominance of the younger generation on the national literary criticism scene. Bambang Prihadi noted that the majority of this year’s contest participants were from the millennial and Gen Z generations, proving that the critical thinking skills of Indonesia’s youth remain strong.

As a doctoral student in the Humanities at UGM, Fitrilya’s achievement serves as tangible proof of the university’s academic community’s contribution to charting a new course for literary studies beyond the ivory tower of academia. This essay will be published on tengara.id, a literary criticism website operated by the DKJ Literature Committee, so that it can be widely accessed by the public and other researchers.

The awards ceremony concluded with the hope that the winners would continue to inspire critical thinking. With this victory, Fitrilya Anjarsari not only took home a tangible award but also solidified her position as one of the future critics poised to guide “The Long Road of Indonesian Literature” with a sharp and relevant academic perspective.

Penulis: Islahuddin Ibrahim

Sumber dokumentasi:

https://www.youtube.com/live/sJnTES3fXr8?si=ySQ6Kf1tXQDfXq-W 

The Korean Language and Culture Study Program at FIB UGM, in collaboration with Chung-Ang University (CAU), held the opening ceremony for the “2nd CAUGM” on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. The opening ceremony took place in the Poerbatjaraka Building Auditorium. This cultural exchange program will run from July 20 through August 1.

The event was attended by 24 students from Chung-Ang University and 70 students from the Korean Language and Culture Program at FIB, UGM. Over the course of two weeks, participants will take part in various activities, such as cultural exchange classes, language exchange sessions, and collaborative activities designed to strengthen cross-cultural understanding between Indonesian and South Korean students.

At today’s opening ceremony, students from both countries presented lively cultural performances. Students from Chung-Ang University performed K-Pop dances and songs, a taekwondo demonstration, and traditional Korean musical instrument performances. Equally captivating, UGM students also presented traditional Indonesian cultural performances, including the Edan-edanan dance, the Sintren dance, singing, and pencak silat.

In addition, one of the main events in this series of collaborative activities is the Korean Festival, which will be open to the public on July 25. The general public and the campus community are invited to attend and experience Korean culture firsthand.

Through this series of activities, students not only gain academic experience but also have the opportunity to interact directly with participants from other countries. This type of cultural exchange is expected to broaden their global perspective, improve their cross-cultural communication skills, and strengthen ties among students from both institutions.

Author: Juleha (朱殷萱Chu Yin Hsuan)

“Gamelan Mahasiswa Sastra Nusantara,” better known as Gamasutra, once again enlivened the Gamelan Festival organized by the Faculty of Philosophy on Saturday, July 18, 2026. This festival is an annual event held as part of the Faculty of Philosophy’s anniversary celebrations. This year’s festival featured 52 gamelan groups, both from within and outside Gadjah Mada University. The event took place over two consecutive days, Saturday and Sunday, July 18–19, 2026.

Gamasutra performed six gendhing pieces: “Ladrang Sumyar,” “Lagon Emplek-emplek Ketepu,” “Lagon Kembang Jagung,” “Lancaran Aku Duwe Pitik,” “Ketawang Manggung Sore,” and “Ayak-ayak Pamungkas RRI.” “These gendhing pieces were performed with the intention of reviving a repertoire that hasn’t been performed in a long time, and to reintroduce traditional children’s songs,” said Yanuar, a student in the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences who initiated this repertoire.

Each of these pieces has a different meaning. “Lagon Emplek-emplek Ketepu,” “Lagon Kembang Jagung,” and “Lancaran Aku Duwe Pitik” are children’s songs with cheerful rhythms. “Ladrang Sumyar,” which serves as the main piece in Gamasutra’s performance, is presented with a distinctly different feel. “Unlike Ladrang Sumyar, which is usually performed in the laras pelog pathet barang, we perform it in laras slendro pathet manyura,” said Yanuar. These pieces are also reconstructions of old recordings from RRI Yogyakarta, RRI Kraton Yogyakarta, SMKI Yogyakarta, and Karawitan Condong Raos.

Gamasutra’s participation in the Karawitan Festival is part of the efforts by students at the Faculty of Humanities, UGM, to continue revitalizing, preserving, and reintroducing the richness of Javanese karawitan to the wider public. Through a repertoire ranging from classical gendhing to children’s songs, Gamasutra demonstrates its commitment to maintaining the continuity of the karawitan art tradition amid the changing times.

[Humas FIB, Maylafaizza Nafisha Zifa]

On Monday, July 20, 2026, the American Studies Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, held a public lecture titled “The United States, the Middle East Conflict, and Implications for Indonesia: Geopolitical Dynamics, U.S. Interests, and Strategic Opportunities for Indonesia.” The public lecture featured Dr. Wajid Fauzi, M.PM., as the speaker. He is currently a Ph.D. student in American Studies and is set to graduate on July 22. He also served as Indonesia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Yemen (2012–2016) and Syria (2019–2025).

The lecture covered the Middle East as a region that has become a focal point for the study of international politics, the role of the United States in the region, and the strategic implications for Indonesia’s interests. The guest lecture was opened by Dr. Achmad Munjid, M.A., Ph.D., a lecturer in the American Studies Program. He emphasized that it is crucial for the public to recognize the significant impact that the current conflict between the United States and the Middle East has on Indonesia. This is also the reason why this public lecture was organized.

The presentation was then followed by a talk by Dr. Wajid Fauzi, M.PM. He encouraged participants to take a holistic view of the Middle East—not only through the lens of its wars and conflicts, but also by examining the layers beneath the surface. These include energy routes, trade routes, rivalries among regional powers, and competition among major nations with interests in the region.

Dr. Wajid Fauzi explained that the Middle East is not merely a region of conflict, but a geopolitical arena where global interests converge, power struggles unfold, and the quest for international legitimacy takes place. “Geopolitics teaches us that geography is not merely about the location of a country or the boundaries of a region, but rather a factor that shapes the distribution of power, economic interests, military strategies, and can even influence another country’s foreign policy toward that region,” he emphasized. He concluded that, in other words, geography is not a neutral factor but a source of advantage.

Conflicts in the Middle East also have implications for Indonesia, such as in foreign policy, the protection of Indonesian citizens, energy security, trade, food security, and national security. Indonesia is expected to continue pursuing an independent and active foreign policy and to serve as a “bridge builder” or diplomatic mediator in maintaining international peace.

[Humas FIB, Maylafaizza Nafisha Zifa]

Gadjah Mada University once again served as a destination for a study tour. This time, UGM’s Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) warmly welcomed 95 students from MAN 1 Pandeglang at the Poerbatjaraka Building Auditorium on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

Unlike typical academic visits, this gathering was organized in a more relaxed manner, with a focus on introducing the culture and dynamics of campus life. Faculty members invited the students to see firsthand how the academic programs at FIB UGM present the study of language, history, and literature in a way that is engaging and relevant to current trends.

The discussion took on a two-way nature as the Q&A session began. The students seemed curious about how cultural studies are applied in the digital age. The conversation flowed lively, covering topics ranging from the use of technology in historical research and fun ways to learn foreign languages to the creative projects of FIB students, which were anything but rigid.

This visit is expected to open new horizons for the students of MAN 1 Pandeglang regarding the importance of cultural literacy. In addition, this trip will serve as a source of motivation for them to step out of their comfort zones and take on new challenges in college in the future.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]