Yogyakarta, 15/9/2025 – The Master’s Program in Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a public lecture titled “Make the Invisible Visible Again: Race, Gender, and Language in Popular Literature.” The event took place on Monday (15/9) at the Soegondo Auditorium, FIB UGM, featuring Dr. Ashika Prajnya Paramita, S.S., M.A. as the keynote speaker.

The lecture was attended by students and literature enthusiasts eager to explore how ideology operates within popular texts. With an engaging and communicative style, Dr. Ashika emphasized that literature is never a neutral narrative but always carries underlying ideologies, often hidden in plain sight.

Opening her talk with the questions “What’s visible?” and “What’s invisible?”, Dr. Ashika illustrated how everyday objects and cultural products that appear neutral are in fact loaded with ideological meaning. Examples ranged from the skin-tone bias in band-aids, beauty discourses in advertisements, to the privileging of certain languages over others. Quoting Antonio Gramsci, she reminded the audience that ideology operates through common sense—perceptions that society accepts as natural. “Everyday ideology is always around us. If we are not aware, we need to check,” she explained.

Dr. Ashika further examined how race and gender are represented in popular works, particularly in superhero films. She discussed debates surrounding Sam Wilson as Captain America and the assumption that Barack Obama’s presidency signaled the end of racism in the United States, while in reality, racial tensions persisted.

On gender, she highlighted how physical strength in superhero films is typically coded as masculine, while female characters are often given invisible or passive powers. Citing Judith Butler (1993), she reminded participants that “Gender is a kind of imitation for which there is no original,” stressing that masculinity and femininity are constructed and constantly shifting.

Bringing the discussion closer to home, Dr. Ashika invited the audience to critically read representations in the Indonesian film Satria Dewa: Gatotkaca (2022). She pointed out how white-skinned characters were often depicted as bosses, while darker-skinned characters appeared as security guards or lower-class workers. Language use also reinforced hierarchies, with Javanese accents assigned to “village folk,” while the protagonist spoke Jakarta urban slang.

“Literature is never just stories. Ideologies hide in plain sight. Reading critically is seeing power,” she concluded, marking the end of her main lecture.

The Q&A session was lively, with questions ranging from the representation of women in comics, ideological bias in reading literature, to the masculine standards in modern superheroes. Dr. Ashika underscored that ideological progress is never linear but rather messy and full of resistance. She also reminded the audience of the importance of readers’ critical awareness in examining their own biases.

This public lecture demonstrated that the study of popular literature goes beyond entertainment, offering critical reflections on power, representation, and ideology in everyday life. Through this event, the Master’s Program in Literature at UGM reaffirmed its commitment to providing an academic space that engages with contemporary issues while equipping students with critical perspectives in reading texts and culture.

Author: Marsya Kamila / Public Relations, Master’s Program in Literature

Yogyakarta, 11/9/2025 – The Master’s Program in Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, hosted a two-day creative writing workshop on flash fiction, held on Tuesday (9/9) and Thursday (11/9) at Soegondo Building, Room 125, FIB UGM.

The event featured international creative writer Alexandra Masri Do, widely known as Maz Do, who holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in fiction from Cornell University, USA. Currently in Yogyakarta on a Fulbright scholarship for creative writing and research, Maz Do has published short stories in renowned literary journals such as Guernica, The Baffler, and McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern. The workshop was attended by around 20 participants, not only from the Master’s Program in Literature at UGM but also from various backgrounds outside the program who shared an interest in creative writing.

The first session, titled “Flash Fiction: Discover the Art of Short-Form Storytelling”, introduced the fundamentals of flash fiction as a compact narrative form capable of delivering depth within brevity. Alexandra opened the workshop with a provocative exercise called the Lying Exercise by Steven Doung.

She emphasized that this practice is essential because writing fiction, in a positive sense, involves “lying” by creating new realities through imagination. “Fiction is a lie, but it is a lie that reveals truth. As writers, we invent, we fabricate—but through this act of lying, we reach something deeply human and meaningful,” Maz Do explained.

Through this exercise, participants were encouraged to realize that the “lies” crafted in fiction can, in fact, serve as gateways to broader truths. Following this, Maz Do elaborated on key elements such as shape, perspective, and how a story can be viewed as a series of questions that challenge readers’ expectations.

The second session, titled “Generative Creative Workshop: Write Your Own Flash Fiction”, focused more on practice and story development. Participants engaged in simple yet imaginative exercises such as the Chair Exercise, which connected words to visuals and personal memories. Starting with the word “chair”, participants explored synonyms, compared the visual images that arose, and linked them to personal memories. From these associations, they were asked to compose short sentences and share them in group discussions.

Enthusiasm was evident throughout both days of the workshop. The atmosphere was dynamic, filled with discussions, partner activities, and reflective sharing. The presence of participants from diverse backgrounds—academics, students, and literary enthusiasts alike—brought unique perspectives into the creative process.

The workshop provided valuable insights into how a short narrative can powerfully evoke readers’ imagination. More than just theory, Maz Do equipped participants with practical skills in writing, revising, and sharpening literary sensitivity.

Through this program, the Master’s Program in Literature, FIB UGM reaffirms its commitment to creating open, innovative, and internationally engaged learning spaces. With guidance from Maz Do, flash fiction has proven to be a refreshing medium for exploring imagination and enriching today’s literary practice.

Author: Marsya Kamila / Public Relations, Master’s Program in Literature

Yogyakarta, 6/9/2025 — The Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, successfully held the UGM Korean Literature Festival 2025 at the Purbacaraka Auditorium. The event took place from 09.00 to 11.30 WIB and featured a series of activities including a literature seminar, award announcement, and a talk show with Cursed Bunny author, Chung Bora.

The seminar opened with a presentation by Mrs. Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi, one of the founders of the K-Lit UGM community. She shared the journey of K-Lit UGM from its early formation to its successful organization of various literary activities, including translation workshops and the first Korean literature festival in Indonesia.

Following this, Mrs. Febriani Elfida Trihtarani delivered a talk titled “Cursed Bunny: Between Horror, Magical Elements, and Social Issues.” She discussed how Chung Bora’s short story collection explores compelling narratives infused with horror, magical elements, and reflections of social issues in South Korea.

The event continued with the announcement of competition winners. In the Korean Literature Scientific Paper Competition, Az-Zahra Ahsana Amala won first place and received a prize of Rp3,000,000. Zahra also had the opportunity to present her paper titled “Analysis of Borderline Personality Disorder Tendencies in the Main Character of Lee Kkonnnim’s Novel Jugigo Sipeun Ai.” Second place went to Ajeng Adinda Putri (Rp1,500,000), and third place to Rizqi Hauna Nadhira (Rp1,000,000).

Meanwhile, in the Cursed Bunny Novel Video Review Competition, Bernadeta Dheswita Puspitasari won first place (Rp600,000), followed by Yosie Rizkha Amaf in second place (Rp450,000), and Jeanetta Gabriella Bangun in third place (Rp200,000).

All prizes were sponsored by the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, as a form of appreciation for student creativity. The organizers hope that this festival will not only serve as a platform for literary engagement but also inspire young generations to be critical, creative, and attentive to the development of Korean literature in Indonesia.

Author: Sherina Azmi A.

Yogyakarta, 15/9/2025 – The Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM, held an event titled “Expert Lecture on Philology: Transforming Ancient Manuscripts into Performing Arts.” The program took place at Room 709, R. Soegondo Building, FIB UGM from 09.00 to 12.00 GMT+7, and was also streamed live through the official YouTube channel Kanal Pengetahuan FIB UGM.

The lecture attracted not only students from FIB UGM but also international participants, including students from Osaka University, Japan. Some participants joined via Zoom, creating a vibrant and cross-cultural discussion. The presence of international students highlighted the global relevance of this topic and opened opportunities to promote Indonesia’s cultural heritage on an international stage.

The first speaker, Dr. R. Bima Slamet Raharja, M.A., a lecturer in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, delivered a theoretical framework of alih wahana (media transfer), moderated by Dr. Rudy Wiratama, M.A. Dr. Bima explained that alih wahana encompasses translation, adaptation, and the transfer of one art form into another. “A medium is like a vehicle—it carries ideas, feelings, and expressions,” he emphasized.

He further explained that alih wahana is inseparable from intermedia relations. Understanding the medium used to express ideas has significant implications for the study of art and media, ranging from expression, cinema, illustration, and visual poetry to remediation, adaptation, and multimedia practices.

Following this session, presentations by Anon Suneko, S.Sn., M.Sn., and Paksi Raras Alit, S.S., M.A., complemented the discussion by exploring the practical aspects of transforming ancient manuscripts into performing arts. Their insights bridged theoretical perspectives with contemporary artistic practices, providing students with new ways to connect classical texts to modern forms of cultural expression.

Beyond academic enrichment, the event strongly supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in cultural preservation, quality education, and international cooperation. The involvement of international participants underscored the potential of transforming ancient manuscripts into performing arts not only as a form of heritage conservation but also as cultural diplomacy—strengthening Indonesia’s role in promoting its cultural legacy to the world.

Author: Candra Solihin

Yogyakarta, 1/9/2025 – The Arabic Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, has introduced an Entrepreneurship lecture led by Dr. Ir. Siti Andarwati, S.Pt., MP., IPU., ASEAN Eng. The lecture is designed to provide students with entrepreneurial insights focused on fostering innovative, impactful, and sustainable mindsets.

In its opening lecture, students were introduced to the scope of entrepreneurship, the urgency of cultivating young entrepreneurs in Indonesia, and their role in driving national economic growth. Referring to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the lecture highlighted how the limited availability of formal jobs must be balanced with the creation of new business opportunities, particularly among the younger generation.

The class also emphasized the philosophical differences between entrepreneurship and wirausaha (sociopreneurship). While entrepreneurship is often rooted in Western individualistic philosophy, the Indonesian concept of wirausaha underscores harmony between individual and community, aiming for broader social benefits.

Students were further equipped with knowledge of entrepreneurial psychological profiles, including self-confidence, results orientation, risk-taking, and future-oriented thinking. The Plan-Do-Check-Action (PDCA) cycle was introduced as a key strategy for building consistent and sustainable business practices.

As part of the interactive session, students worked in small groups to develop and present business ideas, focusing on identifying market opportunities, crafting business plans, and showcasing product innovations. These activities were designed to sharpen their teamwork, problem-solving, and presentation skills while encouraging creative thinking.

Through this course, Arabic Study Program students are expected to cultivate creative and innovative mindsets while viewing entrepreneurship as a meaningful path to contribute to sustainable development. The program also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Author: Muhammad Ardiansyah