Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) – Efforts to preserve regional languages and cultural heritage continue to receive support from various groups, including academics. Eko Santosa, S.Pd., M.Hum., a lecturer in the Indonesian university's Javanese Language and Literature Education Study Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR), was appointed as one of the judges for the Macapat Singing Competition in the Elementary School (SD) category at the 2026 Central Java Provincial Mother Tongue Festival (Festival Tunas Bahasa Ibu or FTBI).
Held from October 9 to 11, 2026, the festival provided an opportunity for students to showcase their skills and express their appreciation for Javanese language and culture. The competitions took place at Universitas Ngudi Waluyo in collaboration with the Central Java Language Center. Meanwhile, the opening and closing ceremonies were held at the Central Java Language Center.
The festival officially opened on Friday (October 9, 2026), led by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Prof. Dr. Abdul Mu’ti, M.Ed., accompanied by Central Java Deputy Governor H. Taj Yasin Maimoen and representatives of the Central Java Language Center.
Several other officials attended the opening ceremony, including Semarang Regent H. Ngesti Nugraha, S.H., M.H.; Rector of Universitas Ngudi Waluyo Prof. Dr. Subyantoro, M.Hum.; Head of the Agency for Language Development and Cultivation Hafidz Muksin, S.Sos., M.Si.; Head of the Central Java Provincial Center for Education Quality Assurance (BBPMP), Dr. Nugraheni Triastuti, S.E., M.Si.; and Head of the Central Java Provincial Center for Teachers and Education Personnel (BBGTK), Darmadi, S.Pd., M.Pd.
In his opening remarks, Abdul Mu’ti emphasized that FTBI plays an important role in preserving regional languages while fostering young people's appreciation of the nation's cultural heritage. He explained that regional languages are not merely tools of communication but also serve as a means of passing down noble values and local wisdom to future generations, particularly amid rapid technological development and the growing flow of information.
“The Mother Tongue Festival is an important event that makes a significant contribution to preserving regional languages among younger generations. Through this festival, we hope to foster a sense of love for and pride in the nation's languages and cultures,” Abdul Mu’ti said.
Similarly, Head of the Agency for Language Development and Cultivation Hafidz Muksin stressed that regional language preservation must be supported by concrete actions to ensure that these languages continue to be used and passed down from one generation to the next.
“Through this Mother Tongue Festival, let us ensure that regional languages remain a living heritage, proudly passed down from one generation to the next,” Hafidz stated.
Central Java Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen also expressed his appreciation for the festival, highlighting the importance of protecting regional languages and providing opportunities for young people to learn and use them in ways that connect with their daily lives.
During the ceremony, the Central Java Provincial Government presented an award to the Central Java Language Center in recognition of its commitment and contribution to regional language protection programs. The Central Java Language Center also presented certificates of appreciation to the governments of all 35 regencies and cities in Central Java for their support of these initiatives.
The 2026 Central Java Provincial FTBI brought together 490 elementary and junior high school students who had won first place in their respective regency or city-level competitions. They were accompanied by 70 teachers representing 35 regencies and cities across Central Java.
The festival featured a variety of competitions, including Macapat singing for elementary and junior high school students, geguritan (Javanese poetry recitation), Javanese script writing and reading, ndagel ijen (solo comedy performances), short story writing, storytelling, and Javanese-language speech competitions.
Eko Santosa's involvement as a judge in the Macapat singing competition reflects UMPWR academics' contribution to preserving Javanese language and literature. Through the judging process, the festival is expected to further develop students' abilities to appreciate, understand, and preserve traditional Javanese arts.
Eko hopes that the regular organization of FTBI will help maintain the vitality of regional languages, particularly Javanese, amid changing times. He believes that events like this are essential to nurturing young people's appreciation of their mother tongue and ensuring that this cultural heritage remains alive and protected.
“By organizing FTBI regularly and consistently, we hope to ensure that regional languages continue to be preserved and protected,” Eko Santosa said.
The participation of a UMPWR lecturer in this provincial-level event also reinforces the university's role in supporting the preservation of regional languages, literature, and culture through direct involvement in educational and cultural activities.
