The series of community service activities by the 2023 cohort of Master’s students from the Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) Program in Madurejo Village continues. On Friday, August 16, 2024, following a local night vigil ceremony, PSPSR students held a discussion event themed “Reactualization and Conservation of the Kenteng Site in the Framework of the Panji Story.” In the spirit of commemorating Indonesia’s independence as a symbol of the heroes’ struggle, the main aim of the discussion was to inform and promote the conservation of the Kenteng Morobangun Site, which holds a long history closely related to the oral traditions of the local community.
The event was hosted by Topan Bagus Permadi, S.Sn., with speakers including Drs. KH. Muhammad Jadul Maula, the leader of Kaliopak Cultural Pesantren in Yogyakarta, and Dwi Pradnyawan, S.S., M.A., a lecturer in Archaeology at Universitas Gadjah Mada. The event was attended by officials from Madurejo Village and nearly the entire local community.
The Panji Story is not only historically significant but also carries profound philosophical meaning. The Panji Story contains many teachings relevant to modern life, such as the importance of peace, harmony, and justice. The Panji Story often concludes with peaceful resolutions, where conflicts are solved through dialogue and understanding. These values are highly relevant in the context of modern society, which is often marked by conflict and division. By understanding and internalizing these teachings, society can learn to live more harmoniously and peacefully, both personally and socially.
This model of collaboration between academics and the community can make a significant contribution through cultural research and documentation, as promoted in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Academics from PSPSR UGM provide a strong scientific foundation for cultural preservation and help the community understand and appreciate their cultural heritage. (AZ)
