Semarang, November 20-22, 2025. UPK Aufklarung’s Strategic Science Research Division of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro, has successfully concluded Leksika Fest 2025. This three-day literary event, held from Thursday, November 20th to Saturday, November 22nd, 2025, at the West Gazebo of the Undip Student Center, provided a vibrant platform for students to celebrate reading culture, engage in discussions, and express ideas creatively under the resonant theme, “Narratives of Resistance: Books, History, and Humanity.”
The festival commenced with a daily book bazaar, open from 12:00 PM to 5:10 PM WIB. Offering a diverse collection of affordable books, the bazaar created a welcoming space for students seeking new reads or simply soaking in a literary atmosphere. The first day featured a “Book Party,” a communal reading session culminating in a relaxed discussion about the participants’ chosen books. The warm and interactive nature of this event successfully captured visitors’ enthusiasm, fostering a delightful environment for literature lovers.
On the second day, Leksika Fest presented a Book Review session delving into “Manusia Indonesia” (The Indonesian Man) by Mochtar Lubis, featuring Dava Maheswara. This in-depth discussion on identity, humanity, and the character of Indonesian society emerged as a major highlight. The discourse not only enriched participants’ perspectives but also powerfully reflected the festival’s overarching theme, emphasizing reading as a vital tool for social critique and awareness.
The final day closed with a “Free Stage,” an artistic expression space showcasing a variety of performances, including monologues, book reviews, music, and nationalistic orations. Students from various study programs demonstrated their creativity, transforming the stage into a symbol that literacy extends beyond text, flourishing through freely voiced art and expression.
Over its three-day run, Leksika Fest successfully attracted a total of 141 participants, surpassing the initial target of 100. This enthusiastic turnout underscores the strong and persistent interest in literacy, critical discourse, and knowledge-based activities among the student body. The event also served as a cross-disciplinary collaborative space, strengthening social bonds and enriching the academic tradition within the Undip community.
With the resounding success of Leksika Fest 2025, UPK Aufklarung aspires for this initiative to become a sustainable program, continually providing a space for students to read, discuss, and create. Ultimately, the festival reaffirmed that literacy transcends mere book reading; it is about how narratives can resist, invigorate discourse, and broaden the horizons of the younger generation.