UNS–The Center of Excellence in Science and Technology (PUI) Javanologi at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta awarded two distinguished figures the Javanese Culture Award 2025. The event took place at the R. Ng. Yosodipuro Building, PUI Javanologi Pavilion, UNS, on Tuesday (3/6/2025). The Javanese Culture Award 2025 is an appreciation for individuals who have contributed significantly to preserving and developing Javanese culture.
During the ceremony, two prominent figures received the Anugraha Praba Nawasena Bhudaya “Beacon for the Future of Culture.” The Cultural Statements of Indonesia category was awarded to the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Fadli Zon, S.S., M.Sc. Meanwhile, the Javanese Cultural Ambassador to the World category was awarded to Prof. Sumarsam, M.A., Ph.D.
Several distinguished guests from various sectors attended the event. The Deputy Mayor of Surakarta, Astrid Widayani, and the Acting Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Fitria Rahmawati, S.Si., M.Si, were at the event. Additionally, there were the UNS Board of Trustees members, the UNS Academic Senate, and the UNS Professorial Council. The leaders of universities awarded in the UNS Jawametrik 2025 and representatives of the Kasunanan Surakarta Palace also attended.
Fadli Zon’s Remarks Upon Receiving the Award
In his speech, Dr. Fadli Zon expressed gratitude for the award. He praised PUI Javanologi and UNS for safeguarding the nation’s cultural heritage. He emphasized that culture is the nation’s soul and a crucial foundation for the development of civilization. He reiterated the constitutional mandate on cultural advancement stated in Article 32 (1) of the UUD (Constitution) 1945. The article states, “The state advances the national culture of Indonesia amid world civilization by guaranteeing the people’s freedom to preserve and develop their cultural values.”
“My highest appreciation goes to PUI Javanologi and UNS for demonstrating extraordinary dedication in preserving our cultural heritage and making it the basis for scientific innovation and the advancement of civilization,” said Dr. Fadli Zon.
Dr. Fadli Zon also shared a personal story about his interest in culture since his university days. He once wrote about Ronggowarsito in the journal Prisma as a student at the Universitas Indonesia. Furthermore, more than 600 Lontar manuscripts and thousands of Wayang collections have been amassed. Indonesia’s cultural wealth is extraordinarily diverse. However, it has yet to be fully explored, especially in the digital era. According to him, Indonesia’s cultural potential could become a major strength on the international stage.
“My passion has mostly been in culture because I believe culture is the soul of our nation. In the cultural field, we indeed have tremendous strength. We must maximize the power of culture,” he stated.
Prof. Sumarsam’s Remarks Upon Receiving the Award
At the same time, Prof. Sumarsam reflected on his lifelong journey in art and academia. He recounted how his childhood was filled with gamelan and Javanese arts. Even so, he started to approach Javanese culture from an academic perspective as an adult.
“From 7 to 20, my life in the arts was just playing and teaching gamelan. It was only starting in 1964 that I began to think academically, which at that time was limited to the presentation and analysis of Gendhing compositions,” Prof. Sumarsam explained.
Prof. Sumarsam is an Indonesian academic widely recognized internationally. He has taught gamelan and Javanese cultural studies in the United States since the 1970s. He is also actively researching and writing about traditional Javanese music in various international forums.
“It was only in 1983 and onward, during my doctoral studies at Cornell University, that I slowly, very slowly, ‘chewed’ the knowledge of gamelan in the contexts of history, culture, and Southeast Asian studies,” he added.
Besides the Anugraha Praba Nawasena Bhudaya awards, the event also featured the conferment of the UNS Jawametrik 2025 awards to several domestic and international institutions. Awards were given to 10 institutions in Indonesia and 10 institutions abroad. UNS hopes this network will become a synergistic platform for preserving Javanese culture worldwide.
With these awards, UNS aims to continue building a sustainable academic and cultural space. The presence of these prominent cultural figures is expected to inspire students and the broader community. Culture should consistently serve as the vital essence of the nation amid ongoing developments and modernization.
Humas UNS
