Nusantara Manuscript Society (Manassa) and UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) organized the “XIX Nusantara Manuscript International Symposium” on Monday (7/8), featuring various experts and scholars in Indonesian manuscripts.
This biennial event aims to preserve the archipelago’s cultural heritage, especially significant manuscripts, from being eroded by the passage of time.
The symposium, themed “Strengthening Indonesian Identity Through the Study of Nusantara Manuscripts,” occurred over three days from August 7th to 9th, 2023. The opening ceremony was held with great enthusiasm at the faculty in Yogyakarta.
“This symposium feels like a reunion after a long time, as we haven’t met to discuss manuscripts and other topics. The chosen theme this time is deliberate, as it underscores the importance of Indonesian identity and our readiness to face future challenges,” said Chair of the Symposium Committee, Arsanti Wulandari.
The symposium seminar sessions will be held on August 7th and 8th. On August 9th, participants will embark on visits to various places related to manuscripts. The program is designed to address the challenges of modernization that increasingly threaten the existence of Indonesia’s noble heritage.
As a multicultural nation with a complex history, Indonesia boasts over 80,000 manuscripts scattered across the archipelago. This heritage must be preserved and safeguarded as a testimony to the journey of the archipelago.
“Originally, this symposium was held annually, then from 2010, it became a biennial. The 19th symposium is special because we can finally hold it in person, and it serves as a platform for scholarly exchange. This forum is a potent space for experts to share their scholarly insights, which are then translated into works,” noted Manassa Chair Dr. Munawar Holil.
This biennial symposium has successfully attracted 100 participants from various universities and brought together 25 national and international speakers.
Moreover, the Nusantara Manuscript Symposium also enjoys full support from various governmental institutions, including the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, and the Indonesian Ulema Council.
The State Secretary Minister, Professor Pratikno, delivered a speech to inaugurate the symposium.
“I express my utmost gratitude to all of you for your attention and hard work in preserving the ancestral manuscripts. I am convinced that in the past, the challenges were extremely daunting. Every society and every locality faces different challenges. These challenges give birth to our nation’s wisdom and life strategies,” he stated.
Inheriting these manuscripts has involved various methods, with the majority relying heavily on community individuals as intermediaries. Folktales, legends, myths, and historical and cultural legacies are tangible evidence of communities engaging in cultural preservation.
This symposium will provide crucial strategies to safeguard the archipelago’s heritage amidst the rapid pace of modern development.
Author: Tasya