YOGYAKARTA – Sarkem Fest 2025 returned as one of Yogyakarta’s most anticipated annual cultural festivals, bringing the city to life with a two-day celebration from February 21–22, 2025. The event featured a diverse range of traditional performances, rituals, and artistic showcases, highlighting the richness of Javanese heritage. Among the participants, the Javanese Student Association (KBMJ) of Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) played a key role, presenting cultural performances that embodied the spirit of Yogyakarta’s traditions.
A Vibrant Cultural Parade Through Yogyakarta
KBMJ UKDW, alongside other cultural student association at UKDW, took part in the Sarkem Fest 2025 cultural parade, which wound its way through historic streets in Yogyakarta. The parade, marking the festival’s grand opening, began in Sosrowijayan, continued to the Sosrowijayan intersection, passed Tugu Station, moved along the iconic Malioboro Street, and concluded back at the starting point for the apem distribution ritual—a symbolic offering where festival-goers eagerly gathered traditional Javanese rice cakes from a ceremonial gunungan (offerings in a cone-shaped arrangement).
Local residents and bergodo (traditional Javanese warrior formations) joined the procession, adding to the grandeur of the event. KBMJ UKDW walked behind the local community groups, carrying offerings of incense and flowers, dressed in traditional Yogyakarta attire to pay homage to their cultural roots.
KBMJ’s Captivating Stage Performances at Sarkem Fest 2025
On Saturday, February 22, 2025, KBMJ UKDW took center stage at Sarkem Fest 2025’s main venue in front of Tugu Station, near Hotel Neo Yogyakarta. Their highly anticipated performance featured two traditional Javanese dances, each carrying deep historical and philosophical significance: Beksan Bolo Kapi (performed by male dancers) and Sintren Dance (performed by female dancers).
Beksan Bolo Kapi is a traditional warrior dance that symbolizes valor, loyalty, and honor. The choreography reflects the discipline, courage, and dedication of Javanese soldiers in defending their homeland and leaders. With sharp, commanding movements, KBMJ UKDW’s male dancers embodied the warrior spirit, paying tribute to the timeless values of Javanese heroism.
In contrast, Sintren is an enchanting and mystical dance, portraying the love and devotion of a young woman awaiting her beloved, who has embarked on a journey of struggle and sacrifice. The performance also conveys a spiritual transformation, symbolizing a woman’s transition from innocence to enlightenment. With graceful, flowing movements, KBMJ’s female dancers mesmerized the audience, offering a deeply emotional and visually stunning performance.
Flashmob and Community Celebration
Following their traditional dance performances, KBMJ UKDW led an energetic flashmob, inviting both festival performers and attendees to join in a spontaneous dance. This lively moment brought the audience together, enhancing the spirit of community and celebration.
The festivities continued late into the evening with various cultural performances, traditional art displays, and interactive activities, reinforcing the festival’s role as a platform for cultural appreciation and exchange. KBMJ UKDW actively participated throughout the event, both as performers and as cultural ambassadors, engaging with the community to celebrate the vibrancy of Javanese traditions.
Preserving Javanese Culture in a Modern Era
For KBMJ UKDW, participating in Sarkem Fest 2025 was more than just a performance—it was a commitment to preserving and promoting Javanese cultural heritage. By bringing traditional arts to a wider audience, KBMJ not only showcased the richness of Javanese traditions but also contributed to their continuity in an era of rapid modernization.
Sarkem Fest 2025 embodied the spirit of cultural pride, unity, and generational heritage, inspiring young people to cherish and uphold the legacy of Javanese traditions for years to come. [KBMJ GEN 6/trans.drr]