Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), through its Faculty of Languages and Arts (FBS), hosted a public lecture delivered by Prof. Dr. George Quinn of the Australian National University (ANU), Australia, on Thursday (4/17). The event took place at Kampung Budaya UNNES and attracted hundreds of students from the Javanese Language and Literature Education Program as well as the Javanese Literature Program.
The lecture, entitled “Karang Padhusunan in Modern Javanese Literature,” explored the complex portrayal of rural life in contemporary Javanese novels.
According to Prof. Quinn, the representation of rural areas in modern Javanese narratives is multifaceted. On one hand, the village often serves as a nostalgic birthplace, symbolizing romanticized landscapes and rich social textures. On the other hand, it frequently appears as a place left behind, a destination for temporary returns during events like Eid, while the central narrative remains rooted in urban settings.
Dr. Muhamad Burhanudin, Vice Dean for General Affairs and Finance at FBS UNNES, explained that the public lecture aimed to broaden students’ perspectives. Learning from renowned scholars and experts, he said, enriches students’ academic experience and equips them with deeper understanding. He also expressed hope that students would draw inspiration from the speaker.
“Mr. George Quinn, although not of Javanese origin, has shown remarkable understanding and appreciation of our culture. This should inspire students to remain enthusiastic in their academic journey,” said Dr. Burhanudin in Javanese.
The session was moderated by Dr. Sucipto Hadi Purnomo, a lecturer at FBS UNNES.
During his visit to Indonesia, Prof. Quinn also participated in a number of academic activities. Prior to the lecture, he donated several books to the department and signed a memorandum of understanding to advance cooperation in education and research.
source: https://unnes.ac.id/fbs/id/2025/04/18/prof-george-quinn-beri-kuliah-umum-citra-perdesaan-dalam-novel-novel-jawa/
