UNS — Olivia Firdaus, a student of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science (FMIPA) in Environmental Science Program, was elected as Putri Solo in Putra Putri Solo Election (PPS) 2021. The event was held hybrid from the Open Stage Taman Balekambang on Saturday (13/11/2021).
Olivia – her nickname – is a representative from Jebres Subdistrict. In her 20 years of age, she collected her courage to participate in the competition, an event she has longed for a long time. To the board of juries, the fifth-semester student shared her wish to encourage the young generation to preserve the Javanese culture.
“I want to have a real contribution to the development of arts, culture, and tourism in Solo,” she said.
In an interview with the uns.ac.id team, Olivia said that her willingness was inspired by the Solo slogan, Solo the Spirit of Java. She thinks the slogan means that Solo is the center for Javanese tourism, and awareness to preserve the nation’s wealth is vital.
“If we, who live in Solo, do not understand Javanese culture, how it develops, how it survives amid the changing times,” Olivia stated.
In achieving the title, Olivia needed to compete with 114 other participants in Putra and Putri categories. She won over 90 participants through written tests and interviews that consisted of public speaking tests and interests and talents. In the final round, the finalists were required to participate in the briefing before participating in the Grand Final that was attended by the Mayor of Surakarta, Gibran Rakabuming.
During the briefing, Olivia was highly interested in the series of training. She felt lucky to have the opportunity to learn Javanese culture in-depth, leaving a deep impression for her, especially when she learned about Javanese culture she did not know before. “About tourism as well. So, it is easier to learn,” she shared.
As a prize for believing in God’s help, Olivia was elected as Putri Solo 2021 and received rewards directly from Gibran and his wife, Selvi Ananda Putri. Olivia said that she was surprised with the result and that she was despondent in the mid of the briefing and wanted to drop out of the program. “Thank God, (I) had the strength and got elected as Putri Solo 2021,” she added. Olivia stated that she is ready to make a real contribution in introducing Solo culture and tourism and hoped that her involvement could encourage the youth to learn and care for their culture because the young generation is the spearhead for cultural conservation. “To care and have a sense of belonging towards the culture in Solo, especially Javanese culture, because if not us, who else will (conserve the culture)?”
Olivia also wants to get involved in the promotion of the tourism sector because the opportunity is something she must be thankful for, and that she needs to work harder in solving challenges she has in the future. She also reminded that people need to work on their dream, but God will decide the results. “We do our best; the rest is God’s works,” she concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Alinda Hardiantoro
Editor: Dwi Hastuti