Yogyakarta, 13 May 2026 – The Library Science Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga once again organized the IDKS Cultural Exhibition on 13 May 2026, held in the courtyard of the UIN Sunan Kalijaga Convention Hall. This year’s exhibition focused on ritual ceremonies and myths, under the theme “Traces of the Wonders of the Archipelago: Exploring Indonesian Traditions”. The event successfully drew the attention of visitors from among lecturers, students, and the broader public.

Opening ceremony and cultural parade

The exhibition opened with a session led by masters of ceremony Marten Prayoga and Zalfa Rayya Putri Dhatina, followed by a cultural parade in which groups of students appeared in traditional attire from various regions. The event then continued with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the lecturer in charge of the course “Information in a Social Context” (IDKS), Dr. Labibah Zain, M.LIS, the Vice Dean III of the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences, Dr. Syamsul Arifin, S.Ag., M.Ag., the Dean of the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Nurdin, S.Ag., S.S., M.A., and the Vice Rector III of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Dr. Abdur Rozaki, S.Ag., M.Si, as a symbolic marker of the official opening of the IDKS 2026 cultural exhibition. The series of events continued with an opening performance of the Mandau Dance from Kalimantan, presented by three UIN Sunan Kalijaga students from the 2025 cohort: Della Rista Hanifah, Azizah Khansa Risti Ufairah, and Nuraini Catur Siwi.

Messages from the organizing committee

After the performance, the program proceeded with speeches from the parties involved in the exhibition. The first address was delivered by the chair of the organizing committee, Shafina Choirunnisa, who emphasized that information is closely linked to its social context and therefore needs to be integrated with the realities of the surrounding community. In an interview with the Public Relations team of the Library Science Study Program, she expressed the hope that through this exhibition visitors would obtain information about traditional culture so that it can continue to be preserved.

Library function as cultural preservation

The second speech came from Dr. Labibah Zain, M.LIS, as the lecturer responsible for the IDKS course. She highlighted one function of libraries that is often overlooked, namely cultural preservation, which she noted receives little attention from the wider public. Through the IDKS Cultural Exhibition, she hopes to demonstrate that the IDKS course equips future librarians with the capacity to preserve culture.

According to her, Library Science students, once working in libraries, should be more aware of the cultures around them that may seem familiar yet remain poorly understood. She added that Library Science students need to develop an instinct to safeguard endangered cultural traditions and to encourage library initiatives to preserve them as part of the library’s role in protecting culture. She also praised the effort and hard work of the students who had been preparing the exhibition over the past four months and expressed the hope that the event would raise awareness of the importance of preserving Indonesia’s endangered cultural heritage.

She underlined that every tradition contains local wisdom which, if unknown to younger generations, risks losing its meaning. Therefore, she argued, preserving local wisdom is essential so that life can become more peaceful and meaningful.

Remarks from the Vice Rector

In his address, Vice Rector III of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Prof. Dr. Abdur Rozaki, S.Ag., M.Si., also conveyed his appreciation to the students, who continually present remarkable expressions of culture and creativity. He pointed out that many people still perceive the Library Science Study Program merely as producing book keepers or staff who serve readers, but after speaking with several students he concluded that Library Science and its students have truly entered the realm of literacy in its fullest sense.

He asserted that the Library Science Study Program can be regarded as an Islamic program because it embodies the command “Iqro” that stirred Islamic civilization at the revelation of the first wahy. In his view, “Iqro” is an activity expressed through spaces of cultural introduction, which libraries help create.

Diversity, digital threats, and cultural identity

Prof. Abdur Rozaki also drew attention to Indonesia’s rich ethnic diversity, which gives rise to various cultural values reflected in movement, behavior, habits, and expressions. He warned that in the digital era, culture faces threats from digital industries and algorithmic systems, and that if cultural “touches” are lost, the nation risks losing its character as a people of diverse cultures. Concluding his speech, he expressed the hope that through the IDKS Cultural Exhibition, Library Science students would sharpen their critical reasoning, strengthen their empathy, and explore cultural identities that are often forgotten by society.

Showcasing local traditions

After the speeches, the program continued with performances by several student groups, including presentations of Tebu Manten from Yogyakarta, Badud from West Java, and Wiwitan from Yogyakarta. Each group presented diverse local traditions through creatively decorated booths, interactive games, and souvenirs designed to attract visitors’ interest. Among the stands enlivening the IDKS 2026 Cultural Exhibition were those featuring the Kupatan Jolosutro tradition, Debus Banten, Pek Bung, Mbang Gadhungan, Mreti Tuk Umbul, the Badud performing art, Bajapuik Baralek, Dandan Kali, Ngeyeuk Sereuh, Ruwatan rituals, Saparan Bekakak, the Wiwitan tradition, and Tebu Manten.

Strengthening students’ role in cultural preservation

Through this exhibition, Library Science students not only study culture as a source of social information but also actively participate in preserving Indonesian culture. The IDKS 2026 Exhibition is expected to enhance young people’s awareness of the importance of safeguarding and preserving traditional cultures of the archipelago so that they remain alive amid the rapid development of the times and technology.

Written by:

Nabila Izzati Zahirah (niz) & Alfiyya Tsurayya Maulidina (atm)