Indonesia’s Vice-Minister of Finance, Professor Anggito Abimanyu, in collaboration with renowned musician Yovie Widianto, has released a new song titled Perjalanan Cinta (Love Journey).
The song is inspired by a true story, a simple yet profound love story between Professor Abimanyu and his wife, Edharmayati Latief, which blossomed during their university years at the UGM Student Center (Gelanggang Mahasiswa UGM).
The lyrics were written personally by Professor Abimanyu, an academic and economist who reveals a poetic side through this creative work.
Meanwhile, the musical composition was crafted by Yovie Widianto, who also had the opportunity to perform Perjalanan Cinta live for the first time during the song’s official launch.
Professor Abimanyu shared that the lyrics serve as a personal tribute to his wife. He admitted he had long hesitated to release the song publicly.
“I’ve kept these lyrics for over 15 years, but only now have the courage to share them. At first, I felt shy because I am not an artist. But this is a gift for my wife. And I believe that every love journey deserves to be remembered,” said Professor Abimanyu.
The launch event for Perjalanan Cinta was held at the UGM Innovation and Creativity Hub (GIK UGM) on Friday, July 4, 2025, and was moderated by the celebrated filmmaker Garin Nugroho.
It was attended by artists, academics, UGM officials, and representatives from the Yogyakarta regional government.
As part of the event, the music video for Perjalanan Cinta was also screened.
The video offers a visually poetic and intimate interpretation of the song, featuring two young vocalists from UGM, Brian Prasetyoadi and Afriza Animawan, who delivered emotionally resonant performances.
“This song is not just to be remembered, but to be felt. Because in the end, everyone is, or has been, on their own love journey,” said Yovie Widianto.
As part of its release series, Perjalanan Cinta is scheduled to be performed at the 2025 Prambanan Jazz Festival.
The performance is anticipated to be a magical moment that fuses the beauty of music and lyrics with the grandeur of Prambanan Temple, offering an unforgettable experience for the audience.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Firsto