The UGM Faculty of Philosophy organized a karawitan festival on Wednesday (October 25). The festival is part of the culminating events of the faculty’s 56th-anniversary celebration.
Chair of the UGM Karawitan Festival Committee, Dr. Sartini, mentioned that the festival involved 25 karawitan groups from the Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY).
In addition to internal UGM karawitan groups, several groups from outside UGM participated in the festival, such as those from the Yogyakarta State University (UNY), the Yogyakarta Prosecutor’s Office, and a karawitan group from Blotan Hamlet, Sleman Regency.
“This festival is held to preserve Javanese culture and provide a platform to appreciate and showcase the talents of karawitan groups,” she explained on Wednesday (October 25).
The karawitan festival lasted a full day, from morning until evening. Alongside the karawitan festival, the event included a batik exhibition and a showcase of traditional cuisine.
Dr. Iva Ariani, Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs at the Faculty of Philosophy, highlighted that the karawitan festival is a regular event the faculty organizes annually.
This event has gained positive appreciation from the public, demonstrated by the growing interest of karawitan groups in Yogyakarta to participate in this activity.
“This year, the Faculty of Philosophy was able to organize the karawitan festival again on a larger scale, with more participants and enhanced by a batik exhibition and an Indonesian culinary bazaar,” she stated.
Dr. Ariani further elaborated that culture in Indonesia is pivotal for the development and education of virtues and for strengthening local wisdom. The strong influence of technology and globalization erodes the values of local wisdom among communities.
This drives the Faculty of Philosophy, which envisions developing the philosophy of the archipelago to revive and preserve Indonesian culture, including karawitan, batik, and more.
“Various activities within the anniversary celebration aim to reinforce cultural values and heritage,” she added.
Author: Ika