The holding of the Selasa Legen Workshop has become a cultural icon at Universitas Negeri Semarang. However, it is hoped that this 105th workshop, which will be held in 2024, will be able to reach a wider public and provide support for the institution’s progress.
Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Arts, UNNES, Prof. Dr. Tommi Yuniawan, said Selasa Legen has become an icon and special attraction for the campus which has been committed to maintaining and developing conservation and cultural values. According to Tommi, this needs to be continued. “Of course, in the interests of the institution, we encourage Selasa Legen to become the property and pride of all campus residents. “This forum is an opportunity to forge student organizations and ngangsu kaweruh, inviting experts and cultural observers from outside campus, so it is highly anticipated,” said Tommi at the 105th Selasa Legen Workshop at the UNNES Cultural Village, Monday (29 January 2024) evening.
Tommi said that in the future, Tuesday Legen needs to be projected to reach the wider community. Because, this is part of an effort to broadcast that UNNES is taking part in maintaining and developing unique Indonesian culture. He said that it was possible that resource persons from various parts of the world could become online speakers. “There are so many Indonesianists and academics abroad who research Java and Indonesia. “We need to involve them and explore possibilities for collaboration and research,” said Tommi.
Selasa Legen is a cultural workshop that has been held since mid-2008 and was initiated by the lecturer at the FBS UNNES Music Arts Education Study Program, Dr Widodo MSn. This workshop coincides with the UNNES weton (birthday in the Javanese calendar). According to Widodo, initially, Selasa Legen was held at Gazebo B3 privately. Until now, this workshop consistently presents experts, practitioners and cultural figures as resource persons. However, this workshop has been stopped since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Selasa Legen actually not only exclusively discusses Javanese culture, but also Indonesian culture in general. “We have presented various speakers from various cultural backgrounds,” said Widodo, adding that the audience for this workshop was also diverse, including students, lecturers and the general public. “The event is always open to the public. “In the future, it needs to be broadcast via YouTube to reach more viewers, and can even be followed from anywhere,” he said.
Widodo said that this workshop had inspired a number of parties to organize similar events. For this reason, the workshop, which will be held again after being stopped since the pandemic, is expected to be an oasis for the public to learn together and reinterpret the unique cultural values that are relevant in facing the onslaught of globalization.
The 105th Selasa Legen event was enlivened by performances of Javanese musical compositions, macapatan, geguritan readings and dance. Apart from being attended by a number of lecturers and students, practitioners and partners were also present.
