Yogyakarta is commonly considered the modern cultural centre of Java. Although some may profer Solo as a good runner up, Yogya remains the clear front runner for traditional dance, Wayang (traditional puppetry) and music.
The city currently hosts over thirty universities, including Indonesias first and perhaps most famous university, University Gadja Mada (UGM) along with the National Institute of the Arts (ISI) amongst others. This concentration of students and teachers provides a intellectual backdrop to a dynamic youth culture bursting with music, arts, cafes, warungs, lesehans (road side food stalls) and the odd nightclub.
