The Master’s Program in Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), is pleased to announce the Call for Papers (CFP) for its 2026 International Dissemination event, themed “Literature in the Crosscurrents of Globalization.” The event will be held online via Zoom Meeting on 4 November 2026, bringing together academics, researchers, lecturers, students, teachers, and literature enthusiasts from Indonesia and around the world to discuss the dynamic relationships between literature, culture, and society in today’s global context.

In addition to serving as an international academic forum, the event offers valuable publication opportunities, including publication in an ISBN-registered edited volume. Selected papers will also be recommended for publication in Poetika: Jurnal Ilmu Sastra (SINTA 2 accredited). Participation is free of charge, with no registration fee required.

The theme, “Literature in the Crosscurrents of Globalization,” reflects the increasingly intensive encounters among diverse cultures, values, and perspectives in the era of globalization. Advances in digital technology, human mobility, and transnational information exchange have transformed contemporary social and cultural life. Within this context, literature functions not only as a representation of reality but also as a space where identities, ideologies, traditions, and human experiences are negotiated, contested, and reimagined.

According to Rini Febriani, Chair of the Organizing Committee, the forum is expected to become a platform for exchanging ideas and research findings on cultural transformations occurring in today’s global society.

“Through this event, we aim to create a space for dialogue that brings together scholars and researchers from diverse backgrounds to discuss how literature represents, critiques, and transforms cultural changes in the era of globalization. We hope this dissemination forum will expand academic networks and foster productive research collaborations,” she stated.

The CFP welcomes submissions under several subthemes, including:

• Cultural Industry and the Standardization of Literature
• Literature as a Site of Power Negotiation
• Myth-Making in Popular Literature
• Contestation and Demystification of Narratives in Global Space
• Reconfiguring Localities in Globality

These subthemes provide opportunities for scholars to explore literary studies and cultural phenomena relevant to the development of contemporary global society.

Dr. Aprinus Salam, M.Hum., Head of the Master’s Program in Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, also expressed his support for the event. He emphasized that globalization not only facilitates interactions among cultures but also shapes the politics of literary production on a global scale.

“The themes emerging in contemporary literary works do not arise by chance. Behind their emergence lie global dynamics and power relations that influence the direction of literary production worldwide. Issues such as the environment, gender, and other contemporary concerns are often part of global currents that shape literary trends and orientations. Therefore, literature should be understood not only as an aesthetic work but also as an integral part of political economy and global cultural dynamics,” he explained.

Paper submission and registration will be open from 29 June to 4 September 2026. The peer-review process will take place from 5–26 September 2026, with acceptance notifications announced on 28 September 2026. Revised manuscripts must be submitted by 5 October 2026, while presentation materials are due on 26 October 2026. The International Dissemination Forum will be held on 4 November 2026.

Participants are invited to submit full papers in English through the official registration link provided by the organizing committee. Submitted manuscripts should be between 5,000 and 7,000 words and will undergo a selection and peer-review process before being accepted for presentation at the conference.

Through this International Dissemination event, the Master’s Program in Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, aims to strengthen national and international academic networks, encourage cross-institutional collaboration, and provide a productive platform for scholarly discussions on literature and culture amid the complexities of globalization.

Further Information

Registration: https://bit.ly/Desiminasi2026UGM

General Information: https://bit.ly/GeneralInfoDissemination2026

WhatsApp Contacts:

• Ella: +62 823-2494-4082
• Mita: +62 813-9056-4071

Email: diseminasiugm@gmail.com

Author: Rini Febriani Hauri

Yogyakarta, June 9, 2026 – Students from the Master’s Program in Literature and the Undergraduate Program in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture organized a manuscript exhibition titled Pusaka Kata (“Heritage of Words”) at the first-floor lobby of Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), on Tuesday (June 9). Held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the exhibition served as a platform for academic collaboration, bringing together the fields of philology, Javanese manuscript studies, and codicology in an effort to preserve and revitalize the manuscript heritage of the Indonesian archipelago.

The exhibition involved graduate students from the Philology and Javanese Manuscript Studies classes, as well as undergraduate students from the Codicology class of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Program. The event was supervised by Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., Dr. Arsanti Wulandari, S.S., M.Hum., and Zakariya Pamuji Aminullah, S.S., M.A.

Under the theme Pusaka Kata, the exhibition was inspired by the awareness that Nusantara manuscripts constitute invaluable intellectual and cultural heritage. These manuscripts preserve ancestral knowledge systems covering various aspects of life, including education, medicine, religious practices, and literature. However, beyond the threat of physical deterioration due to age, these manuscripts also face a growing challenge: the widening gap between younger generations and the knowledge contained within them.

The name Pusaka Kata was chosen to emphasize the significance of manuscripts as an intergenerational legacy. In Javanese tradition, pusaka refers not merely to an inherited object but to a trust passed down through generations, carrying values, identity, and responsibility. Meanwhile, kata (“words”) represents the medium through which knowledge has been preserved and transmitted from ancestors to future generations.

Interpreting Knowledge Preserved in Manuscripts

One of the highlights from the Philology class was a Malay-Islamic manuscript titled Kitab Jimat, Tangkal, dan Obat-obatan (Book of Talismans, Protective Charms, and Medicines). Digitized by the British Library through the Endangered Archives Programme (EAP), the manuscript contains knowledge related to self-protection, healing practices, and environmental safeguarding through prayers, Qur’anic verses, magical diagrams (rajah), and herbal remedies.

Fajar Nur Zaima explained that one of the most prominent sections of the manuscript discusses the virtues of Qur’anic verses, particularly the recitation of the basmalah. According to him, the manuscript presents the basmalah not merely as an opening formula but also as a source of blessings, protection, and safety in various aspects of life.

Another featured object was the section on talismans contained in Serat Primbon, a manuscript from the collection of the National Library of Indonesia, catalog number NB 973. This section includes at least twenty-nine types of talismans serving different purposes, ranging from attracting affection and maintaining health to ensuring safety and warding off misfortune.

Giandra Febriyan Haidar explained that talismanic texts can be understood as representations of how Javanese society perceived the relationship between humans, nature, and forces beyond everyday rationality. He cited a love talisman described in the manuscript as a means of gaining affection and social acceptance. In this context, he argued, talismans should not be viewed merely as magical objects but as symbols of human aspirations for harmonious social relationships.

Reading Manuscript Histories Through Physical Form and Aesthetics

The Javanese Manuscript Studies class presented research on the physical and aesthetic aspects of Javanese manuscripts. One exhibition item focused on a manuscript written in Javanese script, currently preserved in the Department of Nusantara Literature Library under the code 899.047.

Through this study, visitors were invited to understand manuscripts not only as textual repositories but also as cultural artifacts that document copying practices, literary traditions, and histories of ownership and transmission. Elements such as paper type, binding structure, script, and physical damage provide valuable information about a manuscript’s journey through time.

The class also showcased a study of manuscript illumination titled Wêdana Gapura Rênggan. The manuscript contains several texts, including Aji Pamasa, Mihradipun Jêng Nabi, Rajah Kalacakra, Jumbuhing Panembah, and Lêlampahanipun Raden Sahid.

Affan Akbar explained that manuscript illuminations serve not only as decorative elements but also as important sources of information regarding manuscript production processes. Observations of unfinished sketches and coloring revealed that the text had been written before the ornamental designs were added. Such findings provide insights into the stages undertaken by manuscript scribes in producing complete handwritten works.

Codicology and Creative Approaches to Manuscript Preservation

Meanwhile, the Codicology class introduced visitors to the study of manuscripts from a material perspective. Codicology examines manuscripts as physical objects, including their writing materials, binding techniques, ornaments, layouts, and patterns of damage that record traces of their historical use.

In addition to presenting research findings, students displayed practical projects such as manuscript covers, storage boxes, and hand-bound books accompanied by interpretive narratives.

One work that attracted particular attention was created by Arfia Kholifatul, who adopted the Javanese wayang character Semar as the central theme of her bookbinding and cover design. Through imagery inspired by shadow puppetry and botanical motifs, the work interpreted Javanese philosophical values such as urip iku urup—the belief that life should bring benefits to others. The upward-growing leaves and vines symbolized the continuous pursuit of truth and the sustainability of life.

Through the collaboration of these three academic fields, the Pusaka Kata Exhibition offered a comprehensive perspective on manuscripts as living cultural heritage. Rather than being regarded merely as historical artifacts preserved in archives, manuscripts were presented as enduring sources of knowledge that can continue to be read, understood, and reinterpreted by contemporary generations.

Author: Khotibul Umam

Good news comes from three undergraduate students in Cultural Anthropology at the Faculty of Humanities, UGM, who achieved a proud accomplishment at the 2026 National Excellence Competition (NEC). The NEC was organized by Eduhub Incubator in collaboration with Mataram University. The competition took place on May 9–10, 2026, at the Faculty of Agriculture, Mataram University, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. The team, consisting of Dinaesy Fadillah Hidayat, Aly Aydeed, and Nadila Aryani Az-Zalfa, won a Gold Medal in the Tourism and Creative Economy Research Essay category under the guidance of Agus Indiyanto, S.Sos., M.Si.

The competition’s theme was “Integrating Critical Thinking, Social Innovation, and Sustainable Entrepreneurial Capabilities within the Framework of Inclusive Development and Achieving the SDGs in Indonesia.” In their paper, the team addressed the issue of event management and tourism waste in Yogyakarta, which is still considered a challenge in supporting sustainable tourism.

As a solution, the team proposed an innovation in the form of a circular economy-based event management agency. This concept is designed to integrate event management with waste reduction and reuse systems, thereby creating a more environmentally friendly event ecosystem while supporting the creative economy sector in a sustainable manner.

It is hoped that this achievement will motivate other students to remain critical of phenomena occurring in society, to present innovative ideas, and to contribute to addressing various social issues through research and academic work that has a positive impact on the community.

Author: Dewi W – adapted from a report by Dinaesy Fadillah Hidayat

Photo: Dinaesy Fadillah Hidayat et al.

Yogyakarta, May 13, 2026 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) organized the Poetika Article Workshop for Scopus Reapplication. This event is part of the Journal Governance Assistance Program Toward Scopus Indexing and UGM Journal Quartile Improvement EQUITY WCU 2025/2026, aimed at boosting the quality of scientific publications in the field of literature.

The program specifically targets students, lecturers, and literature researchers. Through an intensive mentoring scheme, this initiative is projected to expand the distribution of author affiliations, improve the quality of manuscripts published by Poetika, Journal of Literary Studies, and simultaneously increase global article citations.

Before the main workshop took place, the committee conducted a rigorous series of selection stages. The process began with manuscript submissions through a Call for Articles from February 23 to April 15, 2026. Submitted manuscripts then went through an initial screening process from April 15 to 27, 2026. Subsequently, the manuscripts entered a period of in-depth review from April 28 to May 12, 2026, in accordance with the publication guidelines of Poetika Journal.

During the workshop, ten successfully selected articles received comprehensive revision notes from two expert mentors. Dr. Phil. Muammar Zayn Qadafy and Noor Malihah, Ph.D. were tasked with analyzing the substance of each manuscript to ensure they meet international standard qualifications.

Several manuscripts reviewed by Dr. Qadafy covered topics such as children’s literature analysis, liminal space in postcolonial studies, power relations, gender inequality, and necropolitics. Meanwhile, Dr. Malihah reviewed manuscripts related to religious nationalism, mechanisms of violence, trauma representation, reading habits, and women’s resistance.

The Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni of FIB UGM, Mimi Savitri, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., expressed her positive response to the implementation of this event during her opening remarks.

“We appreciate this event because it is not only to improve the quality of the participants’ articles but also part of the effort to elevate the accreditation of Poetika Journal to a higher level, from Sinta 2 to Scopus. Therefore, the faculty supports this activity because the success of Poetika is not just the participants’ success in producing high-quality and internationally recognized articles. It also expands the international network of FIB, which consequently boosts the faculty’s global recognition,” she stated.

This periodic governance and improvement of scientific publication standards reaffirm the role of educational institutions in supporting the dissemination of quality knowledge. Elevating research quality to an international level is expected to strengthen cross-border academic partnership networks and ensure the sustainability of an inclusive educational ecosystem for the broader community.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, April 29, 2026 – The Academic Division of the Arabic Literature Student Association (IKMASA) successfully organized the event titled “Suluh Rindu” Book Discussion and Mini Writing Workshop, featuring prominent Indonesian novelist Habiburrahman El Shirazy at the Soegondo Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Open to the public, the event aimed to enrich participants’ understanding of the creative writing process, particularly in developing ideas and experiences in creative writing, as well as emphasizing the importance of moral values in literary works.

The author, widely known as Kang Abik, explained that writing ideas can emerge from simple phenomena in everyday life. Observations of social realities, cultural contexts, and daily life dynamics can serve as endless sources of inspiration. He illustrated this through the creative process behind his novel Suluh Rindu, which was inspired by the phenomenon of rural areas being left behind by younger generations who migrate in search of better opportunities. Villages tend to become lively only during certain occasions, such as religious holidays. This phenomenon was then developed into the story of a character who travels to Egypt and experiences an inner struggle upon returning to his hometown, particularly when confronted with his father’s final wishes.

Habiburrahman also emphasized the importance of dramatic elements in literary works. According to him, a compelling story should be able to evoke readers’ emotions through strong conflict and meaningful resolution. Beyond mere entertainment, literature carries a moral responsibility. Values such as spirituality, humanity, justice, and civility should serve as the foundation of any literary work. “A good piece of writing is not only engaging to read, but also leaves a lasting impression on its readers,” he stated.

During the question-and-answer session, it was also highlighted that writing experience does not have to come solely from personal experiences. Writers can gain insight from reading, listening to others’ stories, and observing their surroundings. In addition, moral boundaries in writing depend on the author’s perspective and purpose, while still taking into account cultural values and ethical considerations.

The event concluded with the presentation of tokens of appreciation by Tohir Mustofa, S.S., M.A., and Abdul Jawat Nur, M.Hum., followed by a group documentation session. The high level of enthusiasm shown by participants reflects a strong expectation for similar forums to continue as spaces for learning, discussion, and growth for both aspiring writers and literature enthusiasts.

Penulis: Putri Azkia Nisfiatul Laili