On May 22, 2025, the courtyard of UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s Convention Hall came alive with color, history, and cultural pride. The Library and Information Science Program of the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences hosted the IDKS 2025 Cultural Exhibition, themed “Traditional Textiles of the Archipelago”. The event was part of the Information in a Social Context course and served as both an academic showcase and a cultural celebration.

The exhibition was attended by Rector Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, who praised the students’ creativity and commitment to cultural preservation.

“This exhibition is a proud achievement for our university. It reflects not only academic excellence but also our role in preserving Indonesia’s cultural diversity,” he said.
He also reminded the audience that libraries are more than archives—they are living guardians of heritage.
“Batik and other traditional fabrics should be preserved as living knowledge, just like texts,” he added, recalling how cultural artifacts are curated and valued in Dutch institutions.

Vice Dean III Dr. Syamsul Arifin emphasized the deeper learning impact of the event:

“This is more than a class project—it is a meaningful process of developing cultural awareness.”

Course instructor Dr. Labibah Zain noted that the exhibition continues a tradition of applying social information theory in real-world contexts.

“Each year, students explore a theme—this time, we chose textiles to deepen their appreciation of Indonesia’s rich fabric heritage,” she explained.

Eleven textiles from across Indonesia were exhibited, including Ulos from North Sumatra, Jumputan from Palembang, Lurik from Solo, and Sembagi from the Yogyakarta Palace.
Hamdani Ash-Shiddieqy, the student organizer, reflected:

“Every motif carries a story. Through this exhibition, we hope visitors see fabric not just as material—but as history, meaning, and identity.”

Erwi Kuswandari, S.E. from the Yogyakarta Provincial Library and Archives praised the event’s educational value.

“I’m impressed by how students have combined creativity with cultural insight,” she said.

The IDKS 2025 exhibition was more than a display—it was a testament to the power of learning through action, where threads of the past are woven into a future of awareness and care.