Master of Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences Undip has held a Visiting Professor General Lecture event on Thursday, August 4, 2022. On that occasion, the presenter Prof. Dr. Tatiana Denisova from University of Technology Malaysia, Dr. Surya Suryadi, M.A from Leiden University, and Dr. Sukarjo Waluyo, M. Hum. from Diponegoro University. This time the event carries the theme “Literature and Culture of the Archipelago as the Capital of Indonesia and Asia in the Contemporary Era”. The event took place from 13.00 WIB to 16.00 WIB guided by Indah Sri Nofitasari as MC, and Marta Widyawati, M.Hum as moderator. Dr. M.Suryadi.M.Hum as the head of the Department of Masters in Literature gave a warm welcome at the opening session and was followed by remarks from Dr. Nurhayati, M. Hum. as the dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Diponegoro University.
As an expert in the history of the Malay world, Prof.Dr. Tatiana Denisova specifically discusses the reflection of the historiography of Malay Nature. He stated that Islamic Malay historiography is a mirror that reflects Malay civilization for hundreds of years. This is what causes historical texts to become the most important sources in understanding Malays, including as a way for Malays to understand themselves. “The nature and uniqueness of Malay historiography shows that the Malay community does have its own understanding of history and historiographical concepts,” said Prof.Dr. Tatiana Denisova.
Furthermore, in the second material session, Dr. Suryadi, M.A from Leiden University highlighted the rich diversity of Indonesia that has the potential to be used as soft power for Indonesia. The cultural diversity possessed by the Indonesian people can be a strength for Indonesia, however, there are still many challenges that need to be resolved so that this potential can emerge to its full potential.
“The ideal thing in my opinion is to seek again, to take advantage of, to re-realize the uniqueness of our culture both in terms of physical and non-physical without limiting outside influences that are beneficial to us such as Islam and western modernism, but which suits us, within that framework we activate this potential of our softpower, and God willing, one day Indonesia will become part of the world’s point of view which will directly or indirectly provide prosperity to this nation, I think we have great potential for this but we must be careful not to let there be uniformity “said Dr. Suryadi, M.A. Dr. Suryadi, M.A also emphasized the importance of strengthening national identity without abandoning regional identity. According to him, both of these things should get the same attention.
Unlike the previous presenters, Dr. Sukarjo Waluyo, M. Hum. as the third speaker focused the discussion on the potential of the Coastal Java region. According to Dr. Sukarjo Waluyo, M. Hum, oral stories and material culture in Coastal Java can be empowered as a builder of contemporary regional identity. Specifically, he said that the Muria area has a distinctive local culture that can be used as capital for the development of tourist destinations and the people’s economy. Capitalization of history, literature, and local culture can be directed at the goal of cultural preservation which also has an impact on increasing the economic level of the community. “We are now meeting a new era where the world is more democratic and has a wider reach, so the local potential in Java Muria, for example, is a treasure, both material culture, oral stories, arts, philosophy, fantastic and heroic local figures who are now movable is built as a city icon, a tourist icon and even the people’s economy. Furthermore, Dr. Sukarjo Waluyo, M.Hum stated “I believe it is an opportunity, a form of actualization, expression and even cultural representation which, if given the space, will be able to progress, not only becoming regional wealth, but also national wealth, we can even export our existing wealth. This is extraordinary, so that our area which has received less attention so far can look different. I hope that new regions or areas will emerge that become tourist destinations and new people’s economies,” said Dr. Sukarjo Waluyo, M. Hum in a closing statement.
The material presented by the three speakers received a positive response from the seminar participants. This is evidenced by the many questions that arise both from the comments column and direct questions. At the end of the event, the head of the master’s degree program in Literature gave a certificate symbolically accompanied by thanks and hopes that he could continue to collaborate with the presenters.
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