Market of Nostalgia Yogyakarta 2025 connects culture with modern life

The 2025 Market of Nostalgia Yogyakarta officially took place at the Yogyakarta Cultural Park (TBY) in Yogyakarta City, Yogyakarta Special Capital Region (DIY) on Sep. 18–24, 2025, with 218 vendors selected  from a total of 1,136 applicants.

In her opening remarks on Sep. 18, 2025, TBY Chairman Purwiati stated that the participants included 152 traditional culinary stalls and 66 craft and antique stalls.

With "Nandur Opo Sing Dipangan, Mangan Opo Sing Ditandur" (Plant What You Eat, Eat What You Plant) as its theme, Market of Nostalgia Yogyakarta 2025 reminded visitors of the relationship between humans and nature.

The market's theme emphasized that humans are not merely consumers but also responsible for preserving, restoring, and maintaining every natural resource they enjoy.

Market of Nostalgia Yogyakarta 2025 is also expected to serve as a platform for education, empowerment, and strengthening the life philosophy inherited from local ancestors. Various daily activities, such as folk arts performances and workshops, enlivened the event.

The philosophy was also reflected in the traditional snacks offered by the vendors. Eva Utami, a tiwul (a dish based on cassava and brown sugar) seller with Tiwul Ayu, explained that she involves local farmers in sourcing cassava for her tiwul.

"Tiwul is made from cassava. The production process involves grinding the cassava, drying it in the sun, steaming it, and then molding it like this." She said, showing the process to the interviewer. "The cassava is usually supplied by farmers," Eva explained.

Uci Handayani, a seller of corn jenang (a chewy snack usually based on sticky rice, coconut milk, and brown sugar) with Jenang Jagung Mbah Bayan, also sources her raw materials from local farmers.

The ground corn for her jenang is mixed with grated coconut to create a sweet and savory porridge dish. The recipe was passed down from her grandparents, who have been selling at traditional markets since the 1970s.

"Because [the theme is] food security, we can plant corn, tubers, and they can be used as alternatives to rice," said Uci when interviewed regarding the choice of corn jenang as a menu item.

DIY Culture Office Head Dian Lakshmi Pratiwi considered the theme to be consistent with the philosophy of toto, titi, tanam, tuwuh.

"In every song of life, we must be orderly and regular, Titi is thorough and careful, Plant efforts and endeavors, and can produce Tuwuh to grow and develop," she said.

Lakshmi explained that the philosophy meant the principles of orderliness, thoroughness, and caution in building a business or in other aspects of life will result in growth and development.

"Through Market of Nostalgia Yogyakarta 2025, I hope the public will become more familiar with, appreciate, and utilize agricultural products, whether grown by ourselves and produced by local farmers. In this way, we will strengthen local food security and sovereignty, as well as maintain the continuity between agrarian culture and modern life," she concluded.