On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, a gathering event held by the UGM Buddy Club Community under the auspices of the UGM Office of International Affairs successfully succeeded the International Student Gathering Breaking Barriers 2024 held in the Hallway of the Teaching Industry Learning Center (TILC) Building, Vocational School UGM. This gathering is a big event that is held every year by inviting all international students, including exchange students from foreign countries, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and students of the UGM Indonesian Language and Culture Learning Service (INCULS), to join together. The international students were accompanied by local UGM students who participated in an agenda of activities such as cultural exchange sessions, lecture experiences at Universitas Gadjah Mada, and tasting traditional food from the origin of the international students.

As the faculty with the largest number of international students at Universitas Gadjah Mada, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM through its international students who are members of the Indonesian language and culture introduction program, INCULS UGM, attended and enlivened the agenda of the International Student Gathering Breaking Barriers 2024. The agenda began with the Oebah Literature Dance that welcomed all invited guests, followed by remarks from Dr. apt. Puji Astuti, S.Si., M.Sc., as Director of the UGM Directorate of Global Partnerships and Relationships, followed by remarks from the President of the UGM Buddy Club Community, Natasya Samuela Serefina. Both speeches gave a message of gratitude for the presence of all agenda guests in this activity as well as a moment to interact, get to know each other, and learn across different cultures.

The international and local students then enjoyed collaborative performances from local and international students, a fashion show, and a cultural exchange and batik making session that was open to all guests. Towards the closing of the event agenda, local cultural dances from the UGM Surakarta Style Javanese Arts Unit (UKJGS) enlivened the closing of the event which ended with a flower giving session to commemorate Bring Flowers to Someone Day given to international and local students and invited guests by the committee. The event agenda was then closed with parting words to look forward to next year’s International Student Gathering Breaking Barriers.

Yogyakarta, Saturday, March 9, 2024 – The culmination of the 18th annual Korean Day was held by the Korean Language and Culture Study Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The performers blended the cultures of the two countries through their costumes to adding a touch of Indonesian culture into their performances, for example by performing not only Korean songs, but also Indonesian songs.

This year, Korean Day was themed “Hallyunesia Wonderland” to celebrate Indonesian and Korean culture. The event was also enlivened by performances from various dongari (clubs) of UGM Korean Language and Culture Study Program, namely Samulnori, Hansamchum, Katarsis Sing, Katarsis Dance, Talchum, and Buchaechum. There were food, beverage, and accessory tenants that filled the venue. The Random Play Dance session and the appearance of the guest star, Nadafid, were the highlights of the event. Then, there was also a Noraebang (karaoke) session which also closed the Korean Day 18 event.

The entire series of the 18th Korean Day event is expected to be a source of inspiration for Korean culture lovers, providing a forum for creativity and community while encouraging the preservation of Indonesian culture. In addition, Korean Day is one of the media forms of cooperation with parties who have contributed to the success of the event.

Friday, February 23, 2024 – The French Studies Student Association of UGM held a Handover event from the management of the 2023 period to the new management of the 2024 period. The event took place at the Soegondo Auditorium and started at 11:00 WIB moments after the Student Gathering event was over. This event is in accordance with SDGs point number 4, namely Quality Education. The event was led by two Masters of Ceremony from the new management, Ajeng and Aurell.

There are several agendas on today’s Handover of Position. The first was a speech from the Chairperson of the French Language and Literature Study Program, Madame Dr. Hayatul Cholsy, S.S., M.Hum followed by the final speech from the Chairperson of HMSP Period 2023, Catharina Maida Muhamartha. Furthermore, there was a symbolic event of Handover of Position in the form of releasing the corsa from each Daily Management of the 2023 Period which was then given and worn by the Daily Management of the 2024 Period.

The symbolic event started from the Chairman of HMSP and ended with the Interest and Talent Department. After that, the Executive Board of the 2023 Period was invited to sit back down and the new Executive Board remained standing in front of the Auditorium podium to then take the Oath and Promise led by the Head of the Study Program. After the reading of the Oath and Promise, the event was closed with a prayer. Before leaving the Auditorium, the Executive Board for the 2023 and 2024 Periods and the Head of the Study Program took a group photo on the Auditorium podium. The event ended at 11.30 WIB.

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 4: Cultural diversity | SDGs 8: Creativity and innovation | SDGs 10: Culture | SDGs 11: Cultural heritage

It has been a year since the 12th Gugur Gunung successfully hit the stage with the lively and spectacular ketoprak wayang gedhog titled Panji Kudanarawangsa. This year, proudly, the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program presented the 13th Gugur Gunung to all, especially the Mahadaya!

Gugur Gunung is an annual event held to commemorate the anniversary of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. In the event, the students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program collaborate to present various cultures of the archipelago, especially Javanese culture.

This time, the theme is “Holopis Kuntul Baris”, a Javanese philosophy that is close to Gugur Gunung activities. “Holopis Kuntul Baris” depicts a line of egrets flying in a pointed pattern. This philosophy is a symbol of joint efforts to solve problems, or what we know as gotong royong. Gotong royong is a manifestation of the Javanese sociocultural society that upholds patembayatan, which means living side by side in harmony,

There are two major events that will enliven the 13th Gugur Gunung:

1. Jawaisme Fest

Jawaisme Fest is a Javanese cultural exhibition featuring all things traditional such as traditional games, traditional clothing, performing arts, customs, tata cara, weton, and so on. There are also traditional food tenants that are appetizing. Jawaisme Fest was held on May 13-14, 2024, 09.00 AM-06.00 PM WIB, at Margono Hall, 1st floor, Faculty of Cultural Science, UGM.

1. Popular Arts Performance

The Popular Arts Performance will feature a Jathilan Dance Drama entitled “Turangga Sastra Nuswantara” presented by a collaboration of students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program. This art performance will take place in Greenland, Faculty of Cultural Science, UGM, on May 14, 2024, starting at 03.00 PM until completion. The Popular Arts Performance will be enlivened by a performance from Lala Atila. 

Author: Haryo Untoro

SGDs 4: Quality Education| SDGs 4: Cultural diversity | SDGs 4: Basic literacy skills | SDGs 8: Creativity and innovation | SDG 9: Industry innovation and infrastructure | SDGs 9: Cooperation | SGDs 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | SDGs 17: Fostering innovation | SDGs 17: Global partnership

Last Sunday (17/3/2024), the English Literature student activity, namely the English Literature Pradangga or often known as Prasasti Club received a visit from Dr. Antonio Guerra Arias, a research professor and creator with a specialist field of ethnodrama studies from the Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua. The visit took place at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences of Universitas Gadjah Mada, accompanied by the Head of the English Literature Program, Dr. Adi Sutrisno, M.A. and a retired English Literature lecturer who is also an arts activist, Dr. Eddy Pursubaryanto, Dip.TESL, M.Hum.

The purpose of Dr. Antonio Guerra Arias’ visit was to explore and understand the art of drama performance, especially Javanese Puppetry. Dr. Antonio Guerra Arias believes that the art of drama performance in Indonesia and in Mexico has similarities, namely the stories presented in drama performances are still strongly related to rituals and mystical things. In his research entitled “Shadows of Little Mexico”, Dr. Antonio intends to collaborate the story in his homeland with the Mahabharata story in Indonesia in a puppetry show.

During the visit, Dr. Adi Sutrisno, M.A. and Dr. Eddy Pursubaryanto, Dip.TESL, M.Hum. invited Dr. Antonio to watch the weekly practice of Prasasti which was held at the Margono building of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. While listening to the music, Dr. Antonio had a conversation with the teacher and composer of the songs performed by the club, Nanang Karbito, M. Sn. The conversation was about the art of Javanese puppetry and the stories behind it. 

Currently, Dr. Antonio still needs the help of experts in the field of Javanese art, especially Javanese puppetry. For colleagues who are experts in this field, you can contact him via email address tony_war@hotmail.com and WhatsApp number +62 823-3383-6437.