Thanks to the collaboration between UI and the Poetry Reading and Writing Society of Indonesia (PRWSI), the independence concert with the theme “I See Indonesia” was held with great fanfare and took place at the UI Vocational Auditorium. This event is a form of routine celebration since 2020 by presenting poetry declaimers with the theme of independence directed directly by two well-known writers, namely Ade Sobayar and Indy Hardono. Apart from that, UI alumni who are members of Iluni UI also enlivened the event.
The event began with remarks and poetry reading by the Chair of Committee I DGB UI and Chair of PRWSI, Prof. Dr. Ir. Riri Fitri Sari, M.Sc., M.Eng. “This event is an opportunity for us to have fun before Monday we start a new life, new enthusiasm and new hard work,” he said. Prof. Riri said that 3 leadership elements at UI would participate in the independence concert this time by reading their respective poems, from professors, the academic senate, to the UI Rector. Meanwhile, the poem she performed was entitled “Gita Cinta Merah Putih” by Gus Nas. The poem contains reflections on independence during a time of technological disruption which is of course in accordance with her expertise from the Faculty of Engineering
UI Rector, Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D., and Indonesian Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Ph.D. together read a poem via video recording which is then played during the event. Prof. Ari read a poem by Toto Sudarto Bachtiar entitled “On Independence”. Meanwhile, Sri Mulyani read a poem entitled “I See Indonesia” by Ir. Soekarno which was also the theme of this year’s independence concert.
Furthermore, Prof. Ari, in his speech before reading the poem above, emphasized that this event was a good opportunity to build a space that could unite various potentials. “The values of unity, cooperation, and mutual cooperation have been realized in this independence concert,” he said. On the same occasion, he also appreciated PRWSI and all parties involved in organizing this independence concert, including the students who participated in it.
One of the poetry readings that attracted the most attention was “That Independence” by Prof. Dr. Sapardi Djoko Damono presented by Dra. Leila Mona Ganiem, M.Sc., Dr. Adrianus LG Waworuntu, M.A., and Dra. Niniek L Karim, M.Sc. The poem, written by the former Dean of the UI Faculty of Literatures for the 1995-1999 period, has a lyrical theme, likening independence to the life of Indonesian people who are known to be simple but happy, with the example of children flying kites as high as possible without questioning the limits of the sky. In this case, Prof. Sapardi wants to express that the meaning of independence can be found through natural metaphors.
This independence concert was punctuated by performances from UI writers and academics. Two songs by Guruh Sukarnoputra were performed consecutively by Tika Bisono and Andien, who performed the songs “Melati Putih” and “Damai”, respectively. In particular, the song “Melati Suci” is a form of respect for Fatmawati who fought for Indonesian independence. Meanwhile, the academic community who participated in enlivening the independence concert included the UI Mahawaditra Symphony Orchestra, UI Dance League, UI Alumni Choir, and The Dancing Engineers, each of whom gave their best performances.
The event closed with a photo session with all the performers wearing red and white uniforms as a form of gratitude for Indonesia’s independence, which has almost reached its eighth decade.
Author: Asep Abdurahman Hidayah | Editor: Finda Salsabila
