YOGYAKARTA-Universitas Gadjah Mada is hosting the 14th International Symposium of Nusantara Manuscript Society (Manassa) from 11-13 September 2012. Chairman of the Manassa, Drs. Sudibyo, M.Hum, said that the event was held because there are not many researches that have been conducted related to the important role of the palace in forming Nusantara manuscript tradition and the role of the palace in preserving and inheriting the cultural heritage.
”There is a very close correlation between manuscripts and the palace. The palace has an important role in the creation, maintenance and inheritance of the ancient texts,” Sudibyo said on Monday (10/9).
Sudibyo added that of various historical records, it was known that palaces in Nusantara have become the centre of historical writings, copying, preserving an inheritance of literary works. The palace become the scriptorium of Nusantara manuscripts. Many important Nusantara texts have been produced and many are preserved by the palace to be passed on to the next generation.
”In the current context, the palace still pays considerable attention to the works that are passed on as a heritage,” said the lecturer in Indonesian Literature.
He described that the palace as the centre of power plays an important role in the formation of tradition of the community. “The progress or drawback of the tradition, or on a wider scope, culture, of a community in a kingdom will very much depend on the important role played by the palace. The Symposium with the theme The Role of the Palace in the Nusantara Manuscripts will be attended by some 250 participants from various countries and Nusantara regions. Experts, researchers and reviewers will present a paper here.
A series of activities will be held, including keynote speech by Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana X in the first day followed by book launching of Ajaran Kepemimpinan Asthabrata Kadipaten Pakualaman written by K.B.P.H. Prabu Suryodilogo (Drs. R.M. Wijoseno Hario Bimo), also Mengenang Prof. Dr. A. Teeuw commemoration and review of Prof. Dr. Faruk’s book, Metode Penelitian Sastra: Sebuah Penjelajahan Awal with resource person Prof. Dr. Suminto A. Sayuti and Ithaf al-Dhaki: Tafsir Wahdatul Wujud bagi Muslim Nusantara written by Dr. Oman Fatuhurahman with resource person Prof. Dr. Henri Chambert Loir and Dr. Fadlil Munawwar Manshur. At the PKKH is also held an exhibition on creative industry based on manuscripts, including batik exhibition from Kraton Ngayogyakarta and Puro Pakulaman