Under a light drizzle that failed to dampen spirits, the Library and Archives of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) participated in enlivening the Nitilaku 2025 Cultural Parade, themed “Ruwat Rawat Kebangsaan,” on Sunday, 14 December 2025. Carrying the message “Planting Knowledge, Harvesting Civilization,” the UGM Library and Archives delivered a strong statement on literacy, sustainability, and respect for the nation’s cultural roots.
The cultural parade, which formed part of the celebrations for UGM’s 76th Anniversary, followed a route from Wisma Kagama to the UGM Balairung. Within the UGM Library and Archives contingent, participants carried various agricultural produce such as vegetables and tubers. These offerings symbolized the fertility of knowledge, the sustainability of life, and a harmonious relationship between humanity, nature, and civilization.
The Head of the UGM Library and Archives explained that the theme was intended as an invitation to nurture knowledge in the same way one plants and tends crops. “Knowledge must be cared for consistently so that it can provide long-term benefits to society. The agricultural produce we brought represents that process—work, perseverance, and continuity,” she said on the sidelines of the event.
Despite the rain throughout the parade, participants’ enthusiasm remained high. The UGM Library and Archives contingent marched in an orderly manner, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to supporting cultural celebrations as spaces for national reflection. This participation also served as an effort to bring the role of libraries and archives closer to the public through a cultural medium that is familiar and inclusive.
The participation of the UGM Library and Archives in Nitilaku 2025 aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Strengthening literacy and access to knowledge reflects support for SDG 4 on Quality Education, while the preservation of tradition and the use of agricultural symbols are closely linked to SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities. The stewardship of collective memory through archives also contributes to SDG 16, which focuses on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
Through simple yet meaningful steps taken amid the cultural parade, the UGM Library and Archives reaffirm that literacy, culture, and sustainability are inseparable. From the knowledge planted today, future civilization is expected to grow and bear fruit for the nation.
Contributor: Wasilatul Baroroh