Central Java, 4 December 2025 — Students of the Arabic Study Program, class of 2023, Universitas Gadjah Mada carried out a field study in the cities of Kudus and Demak as part of the course Arabic Literature and Culture in Indonesia. The program was designed to provide empirical learning experiences on the dynamics of Indonesian culture and the historical connections between Arab–Islamic heritage and the development of local civilization.

Kudus and Demak were selected as the field study destinations due to their significant roles in the spread of Islam in Java. Through this field activity, students were expected to observe and analyze cultural heritage on-site and relate their findings to the theories studied in class.

The first destination visited was the Menara Kudus Mosque, also known as the Al-Aqsha Mosque, located in Kauman Village, Kudus, Central Java. Students examined firsthand how the mosque’s architecture, particularly its red-brick tower resembling a Majapahit-style temple, stands as strong evidence of acculturation between Islam and Hindu–Javanese culture. At the Menara Kudus Mosque, students observed Sunan Kudus’ cultural approach to da’wah, from preserving local traditions to utilizing Javanese arts and architectural forms that enabled Islam to be accepted peacefully by the local community. Traditions such as the prohibition of slaughtering cows, as well as Javanese songs and performing arts developed by Sunan Kudus, became part of the learning experience.

The field study continued at the Mubarok Jenang Museum, the first jenang museum in Indonesia, which highlights the history of Kudus’ jenang industry since 1930. Here, UGM Arabic Study Program students learned local wisdoms, particularly the values of Gusjigang (being morally good, mastering religious knowledge, and being skilled in trade) which shaped Kudus’ economic culture and intertwined with the Islamic teachings of Sunan Kudus. The museum offered a distinct experience, enabling students to observe how tradition, family-run industry, and regional identity are presented as public education and developed into creative economic potential.

The students then deepened their understanding of early Islamic da’wah in Java through a visit to the Great Mosque of Demak, a historical Wali Songo site and a central landmark of the Demak Sultanate. They examined the mosque’s traditional Javanese architectural form featuring a three-tiered pyramidal roof and the iconic saka guru pillars, including the legendary saka tatal. This visit provided richer insight into a model of da’wah rooted in local culture, dialogue, and gentle persuasion, reflected in the mosque’s architecture, traditions, and the social life of the surrounding community.

Through this series of field visits, students gained firsthand experience that history is not merely textual, but a living narrative present in buildings, traditions, and societal practices. The field study underscored the importance of understanding acculturation as a key element in the development of Islam in the archipelago which is visible in mosque architecture, local economies, and enduring cultural values.

This field study is expected to broaden the perspectives of Arabic Literature students and strengthen their analytical abilities in interpreting Indonesian cultural phenomena in a more comprehensive and applied manner.

Author: Jihan Pertiwi

On the 27th of November (the awarding night of the 38th Pekan Ilmiah Mahasiswa Nasional (Pimnas) held in Universitas Hassanudin, Makassar), a bachelor student of Cultural Anthropology from UGM contributed to the medal count of Universitas Gadjah Mada. Muhammad Syukur Shidiq – commonly known as Syukur – and his team earned a silver medal for the poster category of the PKM-RSH 2 class. Their research, titled Antara Safe Space dan Toxic Space: Studi Ekologi Media terhadap Komunitas Marah-Marah di Media Sosial X, applies the concept of media ecology coined by Marshall McLuhan to study the Komunitas Marah-Marah, a community established on X (formerly Twitter).

Komunitas Marah-Marah is viewed as a communal space with two sides, both contradicting each other. This community provides room for freedom of emotional expression (specifically anger, as the name suggests) for its members while giving them affirmation from fellow members. At the same time, negative actions such as cyberbullying, hate speech, and discrimination are also rampant in the space. What started out as a small community has tripled in size in the span of a year. The results of this research can hopefully be used as a contribution to increase digital literacy among the Indonesian digital community, along with creating a safe online space for users and as consideration for policy makers to create better online policies.

As an anthropology student, there are a few lessons Syukur picked up during his Pimnas research. The discipline of anthropology plays a role in understanding Komunitas Marah-Marah as a living digital environment, filled with members with various cultures and perspectives. X as a social media is viewed as an ecology that shapes and influences how people express their emotions. The existence of this community helps shape the understanding of how anger grows and evolves into its own culture in a digital context.

During four months of Pimnas research, Syukur learned some valuable lessons for himself, as a person and as a researcher. Along with getting the opportunity to experience field research first-hand, Syukur learned to collect, sort, and process ethnographic data while working in a systematic workflow. This opportunity gives him the chance to train his cultural intuition and reflectivity as an anthropologist. He also learned to be committed to a research project and working in a multidisciplinary approach. His team members consisted of fellow bachelor students Muh Faiq Fauzan, Fanisa Ratna Dewi, Debora Magdalena Marchya Sihombing, Muhammad Syukur Shidiq, and Adelia Pradipta Nasyaputri. They hail from various departments of social sciences, such as Communication Science, Social Development and Welfare, Philosophy, and Psychology; each with their own methods and perspectives, collaborating towards the same goal to reach a better understanding of a dynamic socio-digital environment.

Author: Amadeus Abhirama Paramanindita

Yogyakarta, December, 9, 2025 – Paksi Raras Alit, widely known as Mas Paksi, has been awarded the 2025 UGM Outstanding Alumni Award for his significant contributions to cultural literacy development and the preservation of traditional arts. An alumnus of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM, Mas Paksi is recognized as the founder of the JAWACANA Community, a cultural education platform that continues to expand access to cultural learning for the wider public.

Since its establishment, JAWACANA has consistently offered various programs such as cultural magazines, Javanese language classes, and inclusive, accessible art performances. These initiatives directly contribute to improving cultural education quality in society, aligning with UGM’s commitment to supporting sustainable development.

Mas Paksi’s contributions also reflect strong support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly through expanding access to cultural education (SDG 4: Quality Education), strengthening local identity and community sustainability through the preservation of regional arts and languages (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities), and fostering collaboration among communities, academics, and cultural practitioners across various JAWACANA programs (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

This award further reinforces Mas Paksi’s role as a representative of FIB UGM alumni who brings tangible positive impact to society. Through JAWACANA, he demonstrates that cultural preservation can become an educational, sustainable movement that contributes significantly to strengthening local culture amid ongoing societal changes.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 4 December 2025 — The autonomous arts body BSO Sasoebah once again showcased its creative excellence in the performing arts by delivering a captivating performance at the opening of the Global Future Innovation Technology Summit (GIFTS) 2025, held at the GIK UGM Building. On this special occasion, BSO Sasoebah presented its newest dance work titled “Lelana Jagatriya,” a performance that blends traditional aesthetics with the concept of a symbolic journey across worlds, rich with humanitarian meaning.

GIFTS 2025 is an international-scale event that opens interdisciplinary spaces for discussion, ranging from technology and innovation to creativity and global collaboration. Notably, the event was also open to the public, providing opportunities for students and the wider community to enjoy the performance and the intellectual atmosphere it offered.

BSO Sasoebah’s performance successfully drew the attention of attendees, including more than 20 distinguished guests who are strategic partners of GIK UGM from various sectors. Their presence underscored the importance of collaboration between arts, innovation, and technology in fostering creative dialogue within academic environments. In addition to invited guests, the event’s openness to the public allowed the broader community to experience the dynamic and collaborative spirit of GIFTS 2025.

The event also reflects efforts to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly through its contribution to strengthening quality education and cultural preservation. In the context of the SDGs, this event demonstrates a commitment to creating inclusive learning spaces and promoting the preservation of cultural identity through performing arts. Moreover, GIFTS 2025 highlights global collaboration and innovation as part of building sustainable partnerships between educational institutions, creative communities, and professional sectors.

Through the performance of Lelana Jagatriya, BSO Sasoebah not only enlivened the opening of GIFTS 2025 but also reaffirmed the essential role of the arts in supporting sustainability, strengthening interdisciplinary dialogue, and inspiring the younger generation to continue creating.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, 28 November 2025 — INAKOS, in collaboration with the Korean Language and Culture Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada, held the third online public lecture on Friday, 28 November 2025. Supported by grant funding from the Korea Foundation, this final session concluded the series of public lectures conducted throughout November 2025. The lecture featured Professor Chae Ho Seok from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, who presented a talk titled “Literature and Literary History: Literature, History, Memory.”

Professor Chae opened the lecture by raising the question of why much of Korean literature centers on themes of sorrow. He then discussed how the development of Korean literature has been shaped by major historical events in Korea, including Japanese colonial rule, the Korean War, various revolutions, industrial reform, and the nation’s democratization movements.

During the session, Professor Chae also presented examples of representative Korean poems that continue to appear in school textbooks, as well as poems that have been removed due to the authors’ backgrounds being considered at odds with government perspectives. The lecture concluded with his message highlighting the importance of reading Korean literary history and comparing different books to gain a broader understanding.

The lecture was attended by approximately 24 participants and moderated by Febriani Elfida Trihtarani, S.S., M.A., a lecturer in the Korean Language and Culture Program at UGM. Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions about the material and broader topics related to Korean literature.

Looking ahead, it is hoped that more public lectures and seminars on Korean literature will be organized to deepen the knowledge of students and the general public about Korean literary studies.

Written by : Febriani Elfida Trihtarani
Edited by : Eunike Serafia N.S