YOGYAKARTA – To commemorate its 80th anniversary, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at UGM held a volleyball tournament specifically for educational staff on Friday (July 3, 2026). The event, which took place on the field in front of the Margono Building at FIB, was intended as an expression of gratitude and an opportunity to strengthen solidarity among educational staff.

The event, attended by approximately 50 participants, was officially opened at 7:00 a.m. WIB by the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at UGM, Mr. Setiadi, S.S., M.Hum., who served the first ball.

The matches were fiercely contested starting from the semifinals. In the men’s category, the competition was divided into four teams based on color: white, blue, red, and yellow. After a long and dramatic rally, the red team emerged as the champion after defeating the blue team in the final, followed by the yellow team in third place. Meanwhile, in the women’s category, the yellow team dominated and successfully claimed first place after securing a decisive victory over the green team.

The high level of enthusiasm came not only from the players but also from the supporters, who were cheering loudly from the sidelines. Yazid, a part-time staff member in the FIB Public Relations Office, also shared in this excitement.

“Today’s competition was so exciting. I hope events like this will continue in the future as a form of solidarity among the faculty and staff of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences,” he said on the sidelines of the event.

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

Nindy Rosalina Ekaputri, a student in the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture program and a recipient of a scholarship from the Arsari Djojohadikusumo Foundation (YAD), had the opportunity to participate in the Kirab Pusaka Dalem Mangkunegaran procession as part of the celebration of the Javanese New Year, 1 Sura Be 1960, which carried the theme “SuraMulihPulih.” This participation was a valuable experience for Nindy, allowing her to gain firsthand insight into Javanese cultural practices that she had previously studied through lectures and academic research.

Prior to the procession, participants took part in a dress rehearsal held the day before. During this activity, participants received instructions regarding the rules of the procession, their positions in the lineup, and the route to be taken. The entire formation of participants was determined by the Mangkunegaran authorities to maintain order and harmony during the procession.

On the day of the event, the series of activities began with a communal meal, the nyuwun palilah dalem ritual, and a joint prayer. Next, the sacred heirlooms were brought out from Dalem Ageng and handed over to G.P.H. Paundrakarna Jiwo Suryonegoro, the Cucuk Lampah Kirab, the procession leader who guided the parade and ensured the events proceeded in accordance with established traditions. The procession was then officially launched by K.G.P.A.A. Mangkoenagoro X at 8:30 p.m. WIB.

During the procession, six royal heirlooms are paraded around the central area of Surakarta. Throughout the procession, all participants observe a vow of silence and walk barefoot. For Nindy, this silence was not merely a rule to be followed, but rather a space for the most honest inner dialogue. This process invited the procession participants to deeply reflect on the concepts of atita (letting go of the past), atiki (being fully present in the moment), and anagata (embracing the future), which form the philosophical core of the 1 Sura commemoration at Mangkunegaran. The serene atmosphere enveloping the procession is truly in harmony with the theme “SuraMulihPulih”, a call to reflect on oneself and prepare for a better life.

Public enthusiasm was palpable along the entire parade route. Thousands of residents crowded various spots to witness the procession, which unfolded in an orderly and solemn manner. In addition to watching the parade, the public was also eagerly awaiting the water used to wash the heirlooms. In Javanese tradition, this water is often regarded as a symbol of blessings and good fortune for those who receive it.

After the procession concluded, the series of activities continued with the distribution of udik-udik to the community by K.G.P.A.A. Mangkoenagoro X, G.P.H. Paundrakarna Jiwo Suryonegoro, and G.R.Aj. Ancillasura Marina Sudjiwo. Parade participants also received servings of black and white sticky rice, which symbolize balance and harmony in life.

For Nindy, participating as a heirloom escort was an experience that enriched her understanding of Javanese culture. This experience demonstrated that cultural preservation is not only achieved through classroom learning but also through direct involvement in traditions that remain alive within the community. Through the participation of the younger generation, cultural heritage such as the Dalem Mangkunegaran Sacred Relics Procession is expected to be preserved and passed down to future generations.

Author: Nindy Rosalina Ekaputri
Editors : Nindy Rosalina Ekaputri & Haryo Untoro

List of Figures

Vita. (2024, July 8). Ribuan warga saksikan Kirab Pusaka Malam Satu Suro di Surakarta [Thousands of residents witness the Malam Satu Suro Royal Heirloom Parade in Surakarta]. Dinas Komunikasi, Informatika, Statistik dan Persandian Kota Surakarta. https://diskominfosp.surakarta.go.id/detail-berita/ribuan-warga-saksikan-kirab-pusaka-malam-satu-suro-di-surakarta-7537

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Gadjah Mada University hosted a visit from Pandaan Pasuruan State High School No. 1 on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the Poerbatjaraka Building Auditorium, FIB UGM. The event was attended by 150 students, accompanied by their teachers, as part of a series of campus tours designed to introduce students to the world of higher education firsthand.

This educational visit aims to provide students with a broad overview and insight into their educational options after graduating from high school, particularly regarding the various majors offered at the Faculty of Humanities (FIB) at UGM. During the informational session, participants received comprehensive information on the faculty’s profile, the strengths of its learning process, the application process for new students, and future career opportunities for its graduates.

The atmosphere became interactive as the Q&A session began. The students discussed daily life in Yogyakarta, ranging from estimated living costs and affordable food and housing to how out-of-town students can adapt to the environment and culture of Yogyakarta.

Through this visit, students from SMAN 1 Pandaan Pasuruan are expected to gain a realistic understanding of the learning environment and extracurricular activities at the university level. This activity also serves as a valuable opportunity for students to prepare themselves and solidify their choices before pursuing higher education.

[Author: Humas FIB Zaidan Abdurrahman]

For most humanities students, the question “What will you do after graduation?” often weighs heavily on their minds throughout their college years. The outdated assumption that Arabic literature graduates will end up only as translators or educators is still commonly heard. However, Desthy Umayah has clearly shattered that old paradigm. This 2011 graduate of the Arabic Literature program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at UGM has successfully demonstrated that a career path for literature graduates can reach the highest echelons of international diplomacy by becoming a diplomat at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuwait City for the 2023–2026 assignment period.

Desthy’s interest in the Arabic language actually began back in school. However, she never imagined that her decision to pursue a degree in Arabic Literature at UGM would lead her to the global stage. UGM not only offers a high-quality curriculum but also provides an academic ecosystem that is attuned to the times.

As the Arab Spring (a wave of revolutions across the Arab world) was unfolding, the Arabic Literature program at UGM actively responded by organizing academic discussions featuring alumni who were working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This moment marked a turning point for Desthy. It was in those small classrooms that she realized the knowledge she was acquiring was vital to analyzing global geopolitical issues.

For Desthy, university is a mental laboratory. While on campus, she actively developed herself through the Arabic Language Student Association (IMABA), the Marching Band, and the Rampoe UGM arts community. It was through these non-academic activities that the soft skills crucial to a diplomat—such as negotiation, public speaking, leadership, and teamwork—developed organically. Recognizing the importance of these non-academic skills, Desthy urged students not to become “butterfly students” (class-home-class-home). According to her, the professional world isn’t just looking for those who excel on paper, but for individuals who are ready to grow and are resilient in the field through organizational experience.

The combination of classroom theory and practical experience in campus organizations proved to be Desthy’s strongest asset when she entered the global arena. One of the academic skills she gained at UGM that became her main tool in the field was her proficiency in the official language required for bureaucratic matters.

“Although the Arabic used in everyday conversation is Ammiya (colloquial Arabic), which varies by country, the Fusha (standard Arabic) taught by our professors during our studies at UGM has actually become a crucial foundation that is extremely useful in a professional diplomatic career,” he explained.

Desthy’s journey conveys a valuable message that will always be relevant to generations of FIB UGM students year after year: success on the global stage does not come overnight, but is the result of making the most of the campus ecosystem. A degree in the field of culture has proven to provide a competitive edge that other academic disciplines lack.

“For me, studying Arabic Literature isn’t just about learning the language; it’s also a foundation that makes us more attuned to culture, helps us understand other people’s perspectives, and ultimately helps me grow as a diplomat,” said Desthy.

In closing, she offered words of encouragement worth pondering for every student currently in college who is uncertain about their future.

“If you love languages, are interested in international issues, and enjoy encountering new perspectives, don’t hesitate. The world of diplomacy can be a really exciting career path to pursue,” she concluded.

Photo: Dhesti Umayah
Author: Zaidan Abdurrahman
Editor: Candra Solihin