Yogyakarta, 24 April 2025 – A collaborative meeting took place at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Held in Meeting Room 1 of Building C, the session brought together three representatives from Oberlin College, two vice deans from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, several English literature lecturers, and other faculty members. The meeting aimed to strengthen global partnerships and explore opportunities for student engagement activities that can be conducted online.

The meeting opened with remarks from the vice deans, who emphasised the importance of international collaboration in enriching educational experiences. They highlighted how such partnerships align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting quality education and global partnerships for sustainable development.

The Oberlin College representatives presented their vision for the collaboration, focusing on the potential of virtual student exchanges. They discussed various platforms and tools that could support such exchanges, enabling students from both institutions to share academic experiences and cultural insights. The initiative is intended to create a more interconnected learning environment that transcends geographical boundaries. Discussions also covered possible activities for virtual exchange, with UGM faculty suggesting programmes that highlight local content.

Beyond academic exchange, the representatives also discussed the importance of cultural exchange. They acknowledged that understanding diverse cultures is vital in today’s increasingly connected world. Plans were made to incorporate cultural components into the virtual exchange programme, allowing students to showcase their traditions and learn from one another.

In summary, the collaboration meeting between Oberlin College and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM marked a significant step toward enhancing global partnerships in education. By leveraging technology for virtual exchange, both institutions aim to offer students valuable learning experiences that transcend borders. This initiative not only supports the SDGs but also equips students to thrive in a more interconnected world.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Bulan Churniati]

Yogyakarta, 6/5/2025 – On Tuesday (March 25, 2025), Dr. Arsanti Wulandari, M.Hum., a lecturer from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), discussed the life of Prince Diponegoro as depicted in the Babad Ngayogyakarta during the first session of the Nusantara Manuscript Literacy Class. The event was organized by the Center for Library Information Services and Nusantara Manuscript Management (Pujaasintara) of the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas RI), under the theme “Another Side of Diponegoro: The Prince from Two Perspectives.”

In her presentation, Dr. Arsanti examined the manuscript Serat Babad Kawiwitan Djumenengipun Kanjeng Sultan Kaping 4-Kaping 5, housed at the Sonobudoyo Museum, Yogyakarta, under the code SB 169. This manuscript was originally composed during the reign of Sultan Hamengkubuwana V and later recopied during the era of Hamengkubuwana VII.

Within the Babad Ngayogyakarta, the life of Prince Diponegoro is detailed extensively, tracing the early years of Hamengkubuwana IV (verses 1–20) through the outbreak of the Java War (verses 21–48). Dr. Arsanti highlighted various exemplary qualities of Prince Diponegoro, particularly in the realm of education. Diponegoro emphasized three key areas of instruction for Hamengkubuwana IV: mastery of Javanese script and culture through literary works, proficiency in Arabic script and religious knowledge, and the acquisition of Malay and English for effective communication.

In addition to Dr. Arsanti Wulandari, Dr. Sudibyo Prawiroatmodjo, M.Hum., a lecturer from the Indonesian Language and Literature Program at FIB UGM, also served as a speaker, offering insights into Prince Diponegoro from the perspective of the Babad Kedhung Kebo. Notably, the session was also attended by Prof. Dr. Peter B.R. Carey, a distinguished historian renowned for his extensive research on Southeast Asian history, particularly the Java War and Prince Diponegoro.

The webinar proceeded smoothly and was marked by enthusiastic participation. Numerous questions from attendees reflected a strong interest in exploring Prince Diponegoro’s historical legacy through different manuscript sources.

The Nusantara Manuscript Literacy Class aims to uncover and elevate valuable knowledge contained within the Nusantara manuscripts. This information is expected to enrich academic fields and provide broader benefits to society. More broadly, the initiative supports the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in advancing quality education and fostering partnerships to achieve shared objectives.

[Public Relation of Javanese Literature, Haryo Untoro]

Yogyakarta, 6/5/2025 – With the aim of improving understanding related to lectures, the lecturer of codicology, Dr. Sri Ratna Saktimulya, M.Hum. brought Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture students of the 2023 class to visit three libraries; the Widyabudaya Keraton Ngayogyakarta library, the Sonobudoyo Museum library, and the Widyapustaka Pura Pakualaman library.

This field lecture started in the morning at 08.30 until the afternoon at 15.00. Students were asked to gather in the parking lot of the Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat before 08.30 for joint preparation and direction. The first destination visited was the Widyabudaya library. There, students were invited and accompanied by abdi dalem to look around and get to know the rooms in the library such as the reservation room, archive room, depo-archive room. In addition, students were also given manuscripts to observe their physical condition according to the material that had been taught such as the paper material, the illumination contained in the manuscript, and others.

Continued with the Sonobudoyo Museum library, students are guided to get to know various manuscripts made from various materials such as paper and wood, and are shown the process of digitizing manuscripts and how to care for manuscripts. Then in the Widyapustaka library, students are shown a manuscript care system by maintaining a stable temperature and conducive to manuscripts, especially those that are quite old.

In the physical condition of Javanese manuscripts, various illuminations are often found in them. Pudjiastuti, Mujizah, Ikram, et al. (2018) explained that the term illumination was originally used to refer to decorations on manuscripts in the form of gold. But later, the term then developed its use and referred to images (decorations) in manuscripts. There are several models of illumination in manuscripts, such as pepadan (a picture that shows the change of pupuh tembang), rubrication (red coloring of a word or sentence that makes an important idea), and wedana (image illumination in the form of text framing ornaments) (Saktimulya, 2015).

By organizing this field study, students are expected to increase their knowledge and experience about manuscripts, starting from the process of creating and managing ancient manuscripts as well as knowing various valuable collections in the fields of Javanese language, literature and culture. Furthermore, students are also expected to understand the existence of manuscripts and archives themselves, namely as part of historical sources and a direct description of the cultural life of their time. This can help students contribute to the development of knowledge in this field.

Author: Fega Achillea Maydena

Editor: Haryo Untoro

Bibliography

Pudjiastuti, T., Mujizah, Ikram, A., & Kramadibrata, D. (2018). Philological Dictionary. Ministry of Education and Culture.

Saktimulya, S.R. (2016). Manuscripts of the Pakualaman Scriptorium. Jakarta: Gramedia Popular Library

Yogyakarta, 5/5/2025 — The fate of a culture, including its language and literature, ultimately rests in the hands of its people. Acknowledging this, the Study Program of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), held a special event on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, featuring Drs. Suhartoyo, a passionate advocate and observer of Javanese literature and culture. Drs. Suhartoyo, himself an alumnus of the program, actively manages Majalah Belik, a Javanese-language magazine, and is involved in the Javanese Literature and Culture Association (Paguyuban Sastra dan Budaya Jawa, Pasbuja) Kawi Merapi.

On this occasion, Drs. Suhartoyo encouraged students to boldly explore ideas and create literary works. He shared several practical writing tips, including writing down ideas immediately without waiting for perfection, reading more literary works or similar writings as references, daring to experiment, and, importantly, refraining from being overly critical of one’s own work. “Please, write anything you wish. Do not worry about whether the work is good or bad, because it can always be revised later. Most importantly, do not become the harshest critic of your own creations,” he advised.

As part of the Creative Javanese Writing course, students were given time to produce written works, whether in Indonesian or Javanese. Moreover, they were provided the opportunity to present their creations publicly. The students’ enthusiasm was evident, as shown by the large number of participants eager to read their works aloud.

As a gesture of appreciation, Drs. Suhartoyo presented the Study Program of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture with souvenirs in the form of the latest edition of Majalah Belik and an anthology of short stories (cerkak). The event concluded warmly with a group photo session, capturing a moment hoped to ignite continued enthusiasm for literary creation.

Through this activity, it is expected that students and the younger generation will be increasingly motivated to dare to create, particularly in the realms of local language, literature, and culture. The works they produce are not merely forms of self-expression but also play a crucial role in preserving (nguri-uri), enlivening (ngurip-urip), and developing the nation’s cultural heritage. It is time for the next generation to understand that the courage to create is a tangible expression of national responsibility. By continuing to create, we collectively strengthen the nation’s identity and contribute positively to society. So, let us Dare to Create!

[Public Relation of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Haryo Untoro]

Yogyakarta, 5/5/2025 — On Monday, April 21, 2025, a number of students from the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), attended a cultural event titled Uyon-Uyon Hadiluhung Senen Pon held at the Kagungan Dalem Bangsal Kasatriyan of the Karaton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat (Yogyakarta Palace). The event was part of the ceremonial commemoration of the birthday (wiyosan dalem) of Sri Sultan Hamengku Bawana X, which falls on Monday Pon evening, or the eve of Tuesday Wage according to the Javanese calendar.

During this meaningful occasion, the classical and sacred dance Bedhaya Prabhu Wibawa was performed again after more than two decades of absence. According to the official website of the Yogyakarta Palace, Kratonjogja.id (2025, April 21), Bedhaya Prabhu Wibawa is a sacred dance that tells the story of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana IX’s resistance against Dutch colonial rule, particularly during the historic 1 March General Offensive. The dance was first performed on July 27, 2002, with a duration of approximately 60 minutes, and its revival this year marks the 23rd anniversary since its premiere.

The Bedhaya Prabhu Wibawa Dance. Fully quoted from Kratonjogja.id (2025, April 21), from https://www.kratonjogja.id/peristiwa/1388-uyon-uyon-hadiluhung-senin-pon-21-april-2025/.

This rare cultural moment did not go unnoticed by the students. Dressed in full traditional Javanese attire, they showed respect for the cultural values upheld by the Palace. One of the attending students, Fega Achillea Maydena, shared her profound impression of the event. “I was absolutely thrilled. Somehow, the Palace always manages to create a magical, beautiful, and exceptional atmosphere,” she said during an online interview on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. She also remarked that the grandeur of the Palace, the solemnity of the Bedhaya Prabhu Wibawa dance, and the deeply rooted traditional ambiance made for an unforgettable cultural experience.

More than just an artistic performance, the Bedhaya Prabhu Wibawa dance carries moral messages and nationalistic values. It seems to invite the audience to emulate the spirit of resistance, bravery, and patriotism exemplified by national historical figures.

The participation of students and young people in events like this reflects a genuine commitment to nguri-uri (preserving) and ngurip-urip (revitalizing) Javanese culture. Culture is not merely a spectacle, but also a guide and a structure for life—one that is hoped to nurture future generations who love their ancestral heritage and are ready to contribute to the progress and well-being of the nation.

[Humas Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Haryo Untoro]

Reference

Kratonjogja.id. (2025, April 21). Uyon-Uyon Hadiluhung Senin Pon 21 April 2025. Accessed April 22, 2025, from https://www.kratonjogja.id/peristiwa/1388-uyon-uyon-hadiluhung-senin-pon-21-april-2025/

Image Source

Kratonjogja.id. (2025, April 21). Uyon-Uyon Hadiluhung Senin Pon 21 April 2025. [Image]. https://www.kratonjogja.id/peristiwa/1388-uyon-uyon-hadiluhung-senin-pon-21-april-2025/