The Faculty of Philosophy at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable education rooted in local wisdom through a community service program conducted in Pandak District, Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta.
The program, titled Sustainable Education Development through Traditional Macapat Performing Arts, serves as a tangible effort to bridge local values with contemporary challenges, while reinforcing the role of the arts as a medium for education and character development.
This community service initiative was led by three faculty members: Professor Lasiyo, Budisutrisna, and Dela Khoirul Ainia. The program was born out of concern over the declining interest among younger generations in local cultural traditions, particularly traditional performing arts such as macapat.
Each verse of macapat holds profound philosophical meaning, moral values, and a worldview rich in local wisdom.
“Young people, especially those who receive formal education but lack a sense of pride in their own cultural identity, often perceive foreign cultures as superior. This mindset ultimately weakens intergenerational support for traditional performing arts,” explained Professor Lasiyo on Saturday (Jul. 5).
Through this initiative, the Faculty of Philosophy at UGM seeks to reconnect younger generations with their cultural roots while introducing the importance of sustainable education in a local context.
Over the course of four months since May, the UGM team has carried out a series of activities, including field observations, focus group discussions, community outreach on sustainable education, art performances, and the development of a learning module.
The main community partner in this initiative is the macapat group “Puspitasari,” which has been active since 2009 and plays a vital role in preserving local cultural heritage in Pandak.
The group regularly holds training and performances on various cultural stages, including community radio and local ceremonies. Notably, Puspitasari set a national record for the longest non-stop macapat performance, lasting three consecutive days.
Despite their dedication, the group faces a major challenge: generational regeneration has stalled, and interest in macapat among the youth remains low. Recognizing this, the Faculty of Philosophy at UGM has not only offered support but also worked to establish a strategic foundation to ensure long-term cultural preservation.
“One concrete result of this initiative is the development of a sustainable education module using traditional macapat performing arts. This module is designed for use across both formal and non-formal learning settings,” said Professor Lasiyo.
According to Professor Lasiyo, the outcomes of this program include a training module manuscript, scientific publications, and the establishment of a formal partnership between the Faculty of Philosophy at UGM and the Puspitasari group.
This partnership lays a critical foundation for the future expansion of sustainable cultural education programs.
Author: UGM Faculty of Philosophy/Gloria
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photographs: UGM Faculty of Philosophy