Festival Udin 2026 Expands into Art Memory and Civic Education

RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta – Festival Udin 2026, held at the Concert Hall of the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta from August 13–15, marks 30 years since the murder of journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin (Udin).

Carrying the theme 30 Years of Udin’s Case: Refusing Silence, Resisting Environmental Destruction, the festival is framed as a campaign against impunity, bringing together journalists, artists, academics, activists, and communities to connect Udin’s legacy of fearless reporting with today’s struggles for democracy, press freedom, and environmental justice.

Organizers deliberately chose Bantul -- the regency where the site of Udin’s killing was located -- as the venue, symbolically confronting local power holders. “Don’t talk about Special Jogja if Udin’s case remains unresolved. Don’t talk about Police Precision if this case is left hanging,” activist Afkar declared.

Chair of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Yogyakarta, Hartanto Ardi Saputra, who is affectionately called Rimba, stressed that the commemoration is not only about remembrance but also about reflecting on democracy today.

“The length of time this case has remained unresolved shows that the struggle to uphold truth and justice is still relevant. That is why this momentum must be celebrated more widely and inclusively, so Udin’s memory lives not only among journalists and activists but becomes part of collective public awareness,” he said on Thursday, August 13.

Rimba also emphasized Udin’s role as an icon of resistance against impunity. “For 30 years this case has never revealed the perpetrators,” he added. AJI records show 14 journalists have been killed in Indonesia, nine directly because of their reporting, with only one case solved.

Rimba warned that Udin’s unresolved case set a precedent for repetition. “When impunity is left unchecked, it repeats itself,” he noted. Festival Udin, he said, is meant to remind the public and young journalists of this history while educating them about safety in journalism, from digital threats to physical risks.

He also explained that the festival deliberately integrates art to reach younger audiences. “Messages don’t always have to be written or spoken; they can be expressed through art,” Rimba said.

The exhibition features works from collectives such as Taring Padi, Corong Api, ABDW Art Project, and Ibu‑ibu Berisik, each interpreting the theme of violence against journalists and activists through their own visual language.

Beyond the exhibition, the festival offers a rich cultural program. Day two highlights a performance by Indonesian singer‑songwriter Leilani Hermiasih (Frau), while the final day showcases multiple acts and the launch of a specially composed Udin Song.

These artistic elements are designed not only to commemorate Udin but also to transform the festival into a public space where diverse perspectives and knowledge can be absorbed, reinforcing its role as both remembrance and civic education.

Activist Rimbawana added a human dimension, recalling Udin’s everyday life -- his love for pencak silat (Indonesian martial art) and favorite foods like bakmi pentil (chewy tapioca noodles) and pecel lele (fried catfish) -- to ensure he is remembered as part of the community, not just a distant symbol.

The festival underscores the persistence of impunity. Investigations by journalists concluded he was killed for his reporting on corruption and environmental damage, yet official inquiries stalled.

By combining remembrance, civic education, and artistic expression, Festival Udin seeks to embed Udin’s struggle into collective memory while mobilizing new generations to confront impunity. It is both a tribute to a fallen journalist and a call to defend truth, democracy, and the environment through creativity and solidarity. ***