Balinese Literature Study Program of FIB Unud Holds the 15th Mahasaba Anniversary 2026 as a Platform to Preserve Balinese Language, Literature, and Script

• Posted by: Admin
• Senin, 19 Oktober 2026
• Has been read 15 time(s)

DENPASAR – The Balinese Literature Study Program, Faculty of Humanities, Udayana University (FIB Unud), organized the 15th Mahasaba Anniversary (HUT Mahasaba XV) 2026 on September 26 and October 16–17, 2026. This event was held to commemorate the anniversary of the Balinese Literature Student Association (Himpunan Mahasiswa Program Studi Sastra Bali / Mahasaba), while simultaneously serving as a platform to preserve and develop the Balinese language, literature, and script through various competitions.

The series of events for the 15th Mahasaba Anniversary 2026 commenced with the Bali-wide High School/Vocational School (SMA/SMK) Palm-Leaf Manuscript Inscription Competition (Lomba Nyurat Lontar) on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Subsequently, the official opening ceremony of the 15th Mahasaba Anniversary 2026 and the National Speech Competition were held on Friday, October 16, 2026. The series of events concluded with the Bali-wide General Category Traditional Balinese Chant Competition (Lomba Magaguritan) for male and female categories, alongside the peak celebration of the 15th Mahasaba Anniversary 2026 on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

The successful execution of this event involved 39 committee members consisting of both lecturers and students. Strong public enthusiasm was reflected in the participation of contestants from various regions across Bali as well as at the national level, comprising 72 male and female participants in the Nyurat Lontar Competition, 18 male and female pairs in the Magaguritan Competition, and 20 participants in the National Speech Competition.

The 15th Mahasaba Anniversary 2026 was also attended by the Head of the Denpasar City Office of Culture, Drs. Raka Purwantara, M.A.P., representing the Mayor of Denpasar; the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Udayana University, Prof. I Nyoman Aryawibawa, S.S., M.A., Ph.D.; as well as representatives from student organizations within the Faculty of Humanities, Udayana University.

In his remarks, the Coordinator of the Balinese Literature Study Program at FIB Unud, Drs. I Ketut Ngurah Sulibra, M.Hum., delivered a message encouraging the younger generation not to forget Bali's cultural heritage. He emphasized that this cultural heritage represents an extraordinary form of local wisdom that must be preserved and passed down from one generation to the next as Bali's cultural identity.

Echoing this sentiment, the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Udayana University, Prof. I Nyoman Aryawibawa, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., stated that the 15th Mahasaba Anniversary 2026 serves as a platform for the younger generation to preserve Balinese literature through the various competitions organized. The event is expected to foster greater interest among youth in learning, developing, and maintaining the existence of the Balinese language, literature, and script.

Through the implementation of the 15th Mahasaba Anniversary 2026, the Balinese Literature Study Program hopes that Balinese cultural values will continue to thrive amidst changing times. Beyond serving as a competitive arena, this activity also acts as a medium to cultivate young people's love for regional cultural heritage while strengthening Balinese cultural identity so that it remains recognized and passed on to future generations.