“Gelar Budaya 2025,” an event themed “Nusantara Creative Dance Competition,” was successfully held on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the GPH Haryo Mataram Auditorium, Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta. This annual competition brought together 23 participants from various universities and art studios across Indonesia, all of whom performed on one captivating stage.
This event, organized by Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, served as a platform for young people to both express themselves and compete, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the archipelago through creative dance. Each group presented a diverse range of works, reflecting their unique interpretations of local cultural wealth, all packaged with aesthetic approaches and choreographic innovation.
The Dance Art Education Study Program from the Faculty of Language and Arts at Universitas Negeri Semarang (Unnes) delivered an outstanding performance, securing First Place in the competition. Their display was recognized for its superior concept, technique, and emotional depth. The winning team was guided by two lecturers, Ibu Dr. Eny Kusumastuti, M.Pd., and Ibu Sestri Indah Pebrianti, S.Pd., M.A..
Second Place was awarded to Universitas Islam Indonesia Yogyakarta, while Third Place went to the Sigrak Delimo group, which also showcased strong and spirited dance exploration.
This event demonstrates that the spirit of cultural preservation remains alive among young people. More than just a competition, the Nusantara Creative Dance Competition serves as a vital space for intercultural dialogue, strengthening national identity through the performing arts.
Furthermore, this event aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. By involving the younger generation in arts and culture, this activity promotes inclusive and culturally based learning, while also strengthening local cultural resilience amid increasingly pervasive globalization.
Translated by Dafele Arozal/Student Staff Humas FBS UNNES
