Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) commemorated World Music Day by holding a celebration entitled Fête De La Musique: Keroncong from Indonesia for the World at the Prof. Wuryanto Auditorium Building, Saturday (6/21/2025). This celebration is a real manifestation of UNNES’ love for keroncong music as an intangible cultural heritage of the archipelago that should be preserved and inherited.
In addition to musical performances, this event was also marked by the UNESCO Declaration of Recognition for keroncong music as an intangible cultural heritage of the world, as well as the awarding of awards to keroncong communities for their contributions in preserving this traditional music.
UNNES Chancellor Prof. Dr. S Martono, M.Sc., also said that UNNES is committed to preserving Indonesian culture through a transformative educational approach.
“Through this World Music Day celebration, UNNES not only celebrates music, but also confirms its commitment as a conservation campus that makes culture part of the academic process, identity, and diplomacy of the nation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Special Staff of the Indonesian Minister of Culture, Prof. Ismunandar, Ph.D., emphasized that cultural preservation must go hand in hand with innovation.
“Intangible cultural heritage must continue to be innovated and creative. Proposing registration to UNESCO is important, but what is more important is innovation and cultural inheritance to the younger generation so that it is not lost in time,” he said.
On the other hand, the Coordinator of the UNNES Music Arts Education Study Program Abdul Rachman, S.Pd., M.Pd explained that this celebration is not only a form of appreciation, but also an effort to revive keroncong in society.
“Keroncong music is a cultural masterpiece that lives and grows from generation to generation. Through this commemoration, we want to revive keroncong so that it continues to be sustainable and relevant,” he explained.
Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Arts UNNES, Prof. Tommi Yuniawan, M.Hum., also gave our highest appreciation to the Music Arts Education study program that has initiated the commemoration of World Music Day
This celebration presents a series of performers from within and outside the country. From Indonesia, musicians and keroncong groups such as Alfa Bintang, Hendra Kumbara, the PSM UNNES Keroncong Orchestra, and the Warung Keroncong Community performed. Meanwhile, from Malaysia, Cong Rock17, the Tunku Langit Keroncong Group, the Sujana Bakti Keroncong Group, and the Gemersik Bayu Keroncong Group from UPSI Malaysia also participated.
Not only that, this event was also enlivened by the participation of academics and musicians from various Malaysian universities, including Dr. Marzelan Salleh (University of Malaya), Dr. Alia Farahnin (University of Technology MARA), Dr. Shafaztusssara Silauddin (University of Malaya), and Jamilah Binti Abu Bakar (UPSI Malaysia).
