The Faculty of Philosophy at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Philosophy UGM) hosted the Karawitan Festival and Nusantara Bazaar on its campus on Saturday (July 18) as part of its 59th anniversary celebration. The event featured performances by 52 gamelan ensembles and showcased 30 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) selling food, accessories, and ornamental plants.
This year’s festival attracted more participants than the previous edition, held on July 19, 2025, which featured 47 ensembles. The 2026 event brought together 52 karawitan groups from across the UGM community, arts organizations, schools, and local communities throughout the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Performances took place over two days, from Saturday (July 18) to Sunday (July 19), beginning at 7:30 a.m. and continuing until 10:00 p.m. WIB each day.
Chair of the Organizing Committee Dr. Sartini said the Faculty of Philosophy has organized the Karawitan Festival since 2017. Initially, participation was limited to gamelan groups within UGM, but growing public enthusiasm encouraged the faculty to invite ensembles from outside the university to join the annual celebration.
“This year marks the eighth Karawitan Festival since it was launched in 2017. The festival was suspended for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Sartini, a lecturer in the Department of Eastern Philosophy, during the opening ceremony.
She added that this year’s participants represent a wide range of communities. Twenty-four of the 52 ensembles come from various UGM faculties. In contrast, the others represent elementary and senior high schools, the Regional Prosecutor’s Office, and community arts groups from across the Special Region of Yogyakarta.
“A total of 52 groups will perform over these two days. Our own Faculty of Philosophy ensemble, Karawitan Filsafat (Karafi), has already taken the stage. Its members are educational staff and employees of the Faculty of Philosophy,” she said.
Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy Prof. Rr. Siti Murtiningsih emphasized that the festival is more than an anniversary celebration. It reflects the faculty’s commitment to preserving Indonesia’s cultural heritage and fostering appreciation for traditional arts.
“This festival provides a space for us to preserve the traditional values that form the spirit and essence of our shared cultural life,” she said.
Prof. Murtiningsih explained that similar cultural activities had long been held within the faculty. However, it was not until 2017 that the Karawitan Festival received institutional support from both the faculty and the university, allowing it to be organized more systematically and sustainably.
UGM Rector Prof. Ova Emilia also expressed her appreciation for the faculty’s continued commitment to preserving Indonesia’s cultural heritage through the annual festival. She noted that UGM sees itself as a cultural university and therefore supports initiatives that preserve and promote the nation’s cultural traditions.
“A university should serve as a living space for preserving and developing culture as part of an ongoing dialogue with the changing times,” she said.
Prof. Emilia also highlighted the diverse range of participating communities. The involvement of groups from beyond UGM, she said, demonstrates the festival’s growing public appeal and strong community support.
For many participants, the festival also serves as a meaningful platform for preserving Indonesia’s traditional arts. Alisha Putra Nafeeza, a member of the Kagama Sekar Gending ensemble, said karawitan is a valuable cultural heritage that should continue to be passed on to younger generations.
“I was introduced to karawitan in elementary school because it was a compulsory subject. I believe festivals like this should continue to be held to preserve the traditional values that shape our identity, especially here in Yogyakarta,” said the SMP Negeri 12 Yogyakarta student during an interview on Saturday (July 18).
The festival was also livestreamed on the Faculty of Philosophy’s YouTube channel and attended by Reghi Perdana, representing Indonesia’s Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, and Dian Lakshmi Pratiwi, Head of the Special Region of Yogyakarta Cultural Office. Alongside the performances, visitors could explore the Nusantara Bazaar, another highlight of the faculty’s 59th anniversary celebration.
Author/Photo: Agito Sitepu
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-Editor: Jasmine Ferdian