YOGYAKARTA – He has good manners, modest, but sometimes forgetful. This testimony was delivered by a member of faculty of History Science, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Suhartono, testifying about the Professor of History, Prof. Dr. Djoko Soekiman, who commemorated his 80th birthday on 23 September 2011. His anniversary was celebrated today by book launching entitled Kolonialisme, Kebudayaan, dan Warisan Sejarah (Colonialism, Culture, and Heritage) in the Multimedia Room, 2nd floor of Margono Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences.
Suhartono said Prof. Djoko Soekiman is precisely the opposite of the regular East Java character. Prof. Soekiman Djoko has polite and gentle nature. "His polite and gentle nature even exceeds that of Yogyakarta’s people," Suhartono said, Wednesday (21/12).
But Prof. Djoko Soekiman is also forgetful. After his wedding, Prof. Suhartono recounted, Prof. Djoko Soekiman and his wife were riding a motorcycle to Malioboro. But going home, he did not take his wife with him. "Well, some people may have heard about his forgetfulness," Suhartono joked.
Similar testimony was also expressed by Prof. Dr. Sumijati Atmosudiro, colleague of Prof. Djoko from the Department of Archaeology. Sumijati also assessed that Prof. Djoko Soekiman is a humble figure. The role of Prof. Djoko in initiating the Department of Archaeology was no doubt. "In the years between 1964-1972, Pak Djoko also briefly served as Chairman of the Department of Archaeology," Sumijati said.
Previously, Prof. Dr. Bambang Purwanto, M.A. representing the Department of History UGM, said that Prof. Djoko Soekiman was pride of the Department. Moreover, his specialty in history of art, especially fine arts, is rarely owned by others. "It's incredible. His science is not owned by others. He also contributes to the development of other sciences, such as architecture, etc.," Bambang Purwanto said.
After the testimony, Prof. Djoko Soekiman gave a speech. He thanked the Department of History that still provides the opportunity for him to teach even from home. Two courses which are still primarily for S-2 students are History of Arts and Traditional Historiography. "By teaching at home, with permission from the Faculty, we can be more relaxed with the students, teaching and having meals," Djoko said.
The anniversary and book launch were simply held, followed by rice cone cutting ritual by Prof. Djoko Soekiman. The event was also marked with a symbolic gift of his book, containing 28 articles from colleagues and students of Prof. Djoko Soekiman, who work in several areas and agency.
Several colleagues attending the event were Prof. Dr. Siti Chamamah Soeratno, Prof. Dr. Inajati Adrisijanti, Prof. Dr. Rachmat Djoko Pradopo, and Prof. Dr.Christoporus Soebakdi Soemanto, S.U.
Prof. Djoko Soekiman was born in Jombang, East Java, 23 September 1931. He is the son of R. S. Tjokrodihardjo. He became a student of History Department, which was still integrated with Literature, Pedagogic, and Philosophy (1953). He was Chairman of Department of Archaeology, Dean of Faculty of Letters and Culture for three consecutive periods, 1971-1974, 1974-1977, and 1977-1979. Djoko Soekiman has been active in various forms of cultural forums, both in Indonesia and abroad. He was also the Head of Sonobudoyo Museum in 1980-1986. From the marriage with Tatiek Sutarti, he has four sons, Baskoro Sukratomo, Ken Respati Kartika Dewi, Diyah Tutuko Suryandaru, and Winong Heru Astranto.