Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) celebrated its 61st anniversary by hosting the 2025 Festival Dalang Cilik (Young Puppeteer Festival), held from May 13 to 15 at the Pendopo Foodcourt UNY. This event was dedicated to preserving the rich tradition of wayang (puppet theater) from an early age, providing a platform for young participants to learn and showcase their talents in shadow puppetry.
The festival featured 18 finalists, selected from a pool of 58 contestants from Yogyakarta, Central Java, and East Java. These young puppeteers performed traditional wayang kulit (shadow puppet) stories, which are an integral part of Javanese culture. The event focused on nurturing the next generation’s understanding of this art form, fostering an appreciation for cultural heritage, and instilling educational values in the youth.
In his opening remarks, UNY Rector Prof. Dr. Sumaryanto, M.Kes., AIFO, highlighted the university's commitment to preserving Javanese culture through initiatives such as this festival. He emphasized that introducing young people to wayang early in their lives plays a key role in keeping the tradition alive for future generations. By engaging children and teenagers in puppetry, UNY aims to strengthen the cultural bond within the community.
The event was organized by the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) in collaboration with the Faculty of Language, Arts, and Culture (FBSB). According to the festival committee chair, Galang Prastowo, M.A., the competition is held annually to encourage elementary and junior high school students to express their creativity and passion for traditional arts, particularly wayang. By giving these young participants a stage, the festival aims to ensure that this cultural heritage is preserved and passed on to future generations.
