The Dance Education Study Program, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) will hold “UNNES Menari” to commemorate World Dance Day 2025, April 28-29, 2025 at the UNNES Cultural Village, Sekaran campus, Gunungpati, Semarang City. The 2025 HTD commemoration carries the theme “From Barn to Stage, Folk Dance as Traces of Civilization”.
The Dance Education Study Program Coordinator, Dra Eny Kusumasuti MPd, stated that UNNES Menari is one of the study program’s flagship programs held every year as a form of celebration of cultural diversity through dance. This year, Dance Education students from the 2023 batch are trusted as the main committee, involving students from the 2024 batch to participate in learning and contributing to the committee.
Eny said that HTD 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 diversity of the nation. Through UNNES Menari, students are given space to express their creativity,” he said, Thursday (April 24, 2025).
The UNNES Menari 2025 Committee, Gegas Pratama, said that his party had prepared the activities optimally. He said, UNNES Menari will start from the 116th Selasa Legen Discussion with the theme “Sources of Dance Creation: From the Palace to the Coast”, Monday (April 28, 2025), at 19.30-22.00 WIB, at Kampung Budaya.
The discussion will present speakers Dr. Daryono, a dance practitioner who is a retired lecturer at ISI Surakarta, and Drs Bintang Hanggoro Putra MHum, a dance practitioner and retired lecturer at FBS UNNES. This discussion will be moderated by Dr. Riris Setyo Sundari, a lecturer at Universitas PGRI Semarang who is an alumnus of the Doctoral Program in Art Education FBS UNNES.
At the same location, on Tuesday (April 29, 2025), starting at 12.00 WIB, the Gondorio Dance from Rembang, Gedruk Flashmob, Lengger Serayu Banyumas Dance, Topeng Ireng Magelang Dance, Topeng Lengger Wonosobo Dance, and Idakep Temanggungan Dance will be performed.
In addition, the UNNES Javanese Arts Student Activity Unit (UKM), the Swantara Community, Babalu Dance from Batang presented by Dance Arts lecturers, and the Barogan Samin Edan Community will also perform. “Guest stars Topeng Ireng from Boyolali and Jaranan LBSU will also appear,” he said. UNNES Menari will also be broadcast live via the B7TVHD Sendratasik Youtube channel.
Dean of FBS UNNES Prof. Dr. Tommi Yuniawan said that the Faculty of Languages and Arts continues to encourage the preservation and development of national culture through innovation and collaboration as part of UNNES’ mission, to Become a World-Reputable University and a Pioneer of Conservation-Aware Educational Excellence. “Let us celebrate the beauty of movement and meaning with a collaborative spirit that unites and strengthens each other,” he said.
