The Dance Arts Education Study Program, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) will hold “UNNES Menari” (UNNES Dances) to commemorate World Dance Day 2025, on April 28-29, 2025, at Kampung Budaya FBS UNNES, Sekaran, Gunungpati, Semarang. This commemoration of World Dance Day 2025 carries the theme “From the Granary to the Stage, Folk Dance as a Trace of Civilization”.
The Coordinator of the Dance Arts Education Study Program, Dra. Eny Kusumasuti, MPd, stated that UNNES Menari is one of the study program’s flagship events, held annually to celebrate cultural diversity through the art of dance. This year, students from the 2023 Dance Arts Education program cohort are entrusted with the main organizing committee, with students from the 2024 cohort also involved to learn and contribute to the committee.
Ibu Eny mentioned that World Dance Day is not just an art performance but also a creative space for students. “Dance is not only about the beauty of movement but also a symbol of the nation’s diversity. Through UNNES Menari, students are given a space to express their creativity,” she said on Thursday (April 24, 2025).
The head of the UNNES Menari 2025 committee, Gegas Pratama, stated that his team has optimally prepared the event. He mentioned that UNNES Menari will begin with the 116th Sarasehan Selasa Legen (a regular discussion forum) with the theme “Sources of Dance Creation: From the Palace to the Coast” on Monday, April 28, 2025, from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM WIB, at Kampung Budaya Fakultas Bahasa dan Seni.
The discussion forum will feature the speakers Dr. Daryono, a dance practitioner and retired lecturer from ISI Surakarta, and Drs. Bintang Hanggoro Putra, M.Hum. (a dance practitioner and retired lecturer from the Faculty of Languages and Arts (FBS) UNNES). This forum will be moderated by Dr. Riris Setyo Sundari, a lecturer from Universitas PGRI Semarang and an alumna of the Doctoral Program in Arts Education at FBS UNNES.
At the exact location, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, starting at noon WIB, performances will include the Gondorio Dance from Rembang, a Gedruk Flashmob, the Lengger Serayu Dance from Banyumas, the Topeng Ireng Dance from Magelang, the Topeng Lengger Dance from Wonosobo, and the Idakep Dance from Temanggung.
Furthermore, performances will also feature the Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) Javanese Arts Student Activity Unit (UKM), the Swantara Community, the Babalu Dance from Batang presented by the Dance Arts lecturers, and the Barogan Samin Edan Community. “Guest stars performing will include Topeng Ireng from Boyolali and Jaranan LBSU,” he stated. UNNES Menari will also be broadcast live via the B7TVHD Sendratasik YouTube channel.
The Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Arts (FBS) UNNES, Prof. Dr. Tommi Yuniawan, stated that the faculty continues to encourage the preservation and development of national culture through innovation and collaboration as part of UNNES’s mission to become a World-Reputable University and a Pioneer of Educational Excellence with a Conservation Awareness. “Let us celebrate the beauty of movement and meaning with a collaborative spirit that unites and strengthens each other,” he said. (Ika Rizki Refima Putri/Student Staff Public Relations FBS/*)
