Semarang – The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), organized a Traditional Games Preservation Program as part of its Arts and Cultural Conservation Initiative on Friday, August 7, 2026, at the FISIP UNNES Sports Field. Held from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., the event brought together members of the university community, including lecturers, administrative staff, security personnel, and cleaning service staff. Through this initiative, FISIP UNNES sought to strengthen solidarity among its academic community while preserving traditional games as an important part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage.
The program began with a morning group exercise session, encouraging participants to adopt a healthy lifestyle while fostering interaction and camaraderie among members of the faculty. The event officially opened with an opening ceremony led by the Dean of FISIP UNNES, Prof. Dr. Arif Purnomo, S.Pd., S.S., M.Pd. In his remarks, the Dean emphasized that preserving traditional games is more than an effort to revive nostalgic childhood memories; it is also an effective means of instilling the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, cooperation, and character building within the university community.
The opening ceremony was followed by a speech from Dr. Ir. Ananto Aji, M.S., Head of the Arts, Culture, and Character Values Section at the UNNES Conservation Subdirectorate. He highlighted that traditional games represent an essential component of Indonesia’s cultural identity and should continue to be introduced and passed on to future generations. According to him, higher education institutions play a strategic role in safeguarding local culture through both academic and extracurricular activities involving the entire university community.
Following the opening session, participants enjoyed Semarang Soto, one of the city’s signature culinary specialties, as a celebration of the richness of local culture. The atmosphere of togetherness became even more vibrant as participants enthusiastically joined a series of traditional game competitions.
The competitions featured a variety of traditional games, including bakiak racing (team wooden clogs), egrang (bamboo stilts), tug-of-war, dakon (traditional mancala game), sack racing, spinning tops, cracker-eating contests, and marble races. Each activity carried its own educational values. Bakiak racing and tug-of-war emphasized teamwork, egrang developed balance and perseverance, dakon encouraged strategic thinking, while sack races, cracker-eating contests, spinning tops, and marble races promoted sportsmanship, joy, and meaningful social interaction among participants.
The event also served as an important opportunity to strengthen relationships among all members of the FISIP UNNES community, regardless of their professional roles. Lecturers, administrative staff, security officers, and cleaning service personnel participated side by side in a warm and inclusive atmosphere, supporting one another throughout the competitions. This spirit of togetherness reflected FISIP UNNES’s commitment to fostering an organizational culture rooted in inclusivity, humanity, and a strong sense of family.
By organizing this traditional games festival, FISIP UNNES reaffirmed its commitment to the conservation mission of Universitas Negeri Semarang. The preservation of local culture is pursued not only through research and classroom instruction but also through meaningful community activities that actively engage all members of the university, ensuring that cultural values remain vibrant and relevant in contemporary society.
The Traditional Games Preservation Program is also closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative contributes to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by safeguarding and promoting Indonesia’s cultural heritage. It also supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through physical activities that encourage healthy lifestyles and SDG 4 (Quality Education) by fostering character education rooted in local cultural values. Furthermore, the collaboration among lecturers, administrative personnel, security staff, and cleaning service employees reflects the principles of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by promoting an inclusive, harmonious, and supportive campus environment built upon mutual respect, cooperation, and solidarity. Through initiatives such as this, FISIP UNNES demonstrates that cultural preservation is not only a societal responsibility but also an integral role of higher education institutions in nurturing future generations who value Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage.
