Yogyakarta (22/03/2023) – Students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) held field lectures in three different places. The three places visited were the Sonobudoyo Unit II Museum, the Cultural Preservation Agency (BPK) region X, and the Pakualaman Duchy Library. This field lecture is part of the Codicology course and is attended by students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program class of 2021 who are accompanied by Dr. Sri Ratna Saktimulya, M.Hum., as the lecturer in charge of the course.
The activity began with the students gathering at the south entrance of the UGM Faculty of Cultural Studies (FIB) at 08.00 WIB, then they continued their journey using private vehicles to the location of the first field study, namely the Sonobudoyo Unit II Museum.
At the Sonobudoyo Museum Unit II, the students had the opportunity to visit the archives. During their visit, they were guided by Mas Fajar Widjanarko, a staff member of the Sonobudoyo Museum Unit II who is also an alumnus of Javanese Literature class of 2010, regarding Javanese manuscripts and by Mba Irma, a staff member of the Sonobudoyo Museum Unit II, about manuscript catalogs.
The enthusiasm of the students in studying manuscripts and manuscript catalogs was enormous. Evidenced by the existence of six questions posed to the speaker during the question and answer session. As a form of appreciation, the Sonobudoyo Museum Unit II gave awards in the form of books to the six students who asked.
After a visit to the Sonobudoyo Museum Unit II, the students continued their journey to the second location, namely the Cultural Preservation Agency (BPK) region X. There, the participants received teaching about the various manuscripts that were stored along with their catalogs.
The final location for the field lecture was at the Kadipaten Pakualaman Library. In this place, students have the opportunity to visit the scriptorium, which is a place devoted to storing, copying, writing, or reading manuscripts. Participants were also given instruction on sundries of manuscripts and procedures for treating manuscripts. In between explanations, the field lecture participants were shown various illuminated manuscripts and other collections owned by the Kadipaten Pakualaman Library.
With this field lecture, it is hoped that students can increase their knowledge and experience regarding manuscripts and manuscript catalogs. Through direct visits to these places, students can better understand the practice and process of managing manuscripts and see first hand valuable collections in the fields of Javanese language, literature and culture. It is hoped that this will make a positive contribution to scientific development and student understanding in this field.
