Al Azhar to join international folk dance gala<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): If you watch them on the dance floor, you might
\nthink they are professional dancers because their movements are
\nso gracious as they follow the beat of the music.<\/p>\n
These students from Al Azhar I Islamic senior high school in
\nJakarta are dancing the Saman, a traditional dance from Aceh. The
\nstudents will represent Indonesia at the International Folk Dance
\nFestival from May 15 to May 20 in Akhisar, Turkey.<\/p>\n
Around 20 countries will take part in the annual festival
\norganized by the International Organization of Folk Art, an
\ninternational non-governmental organization under the supervision
\nof the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
\nOrganization which develops folk arts from around the world.<\/p>\n
\"I'm so happy, this is the first time I will perform abroad
\nand represent the country ... ,\" a second year student, Cita,
\nsaid proudly. With 30 of her friends, she will perform the Saman
\ndance at the festival.<\/p>\n
The group of 31 students, including three musicians, will also
\nperform four other dances, including the Yapong dance from
\nJakarta and the Giring-giring dance from Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
The group has been practicing every day for the past two weeks
\nand were scheduled to leave for Turkey on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\"It is tiresome but fun,\" Cita, who began studying dance,
\nincluding ballet, in kindergarten, said. \"Dancing is my hobby.\"<\/p>\n
Parents and teachers hope the students will help restore the
\nimage of Jakarta high school students, which has been smeared by
\nendless student brawls.<\/p>\n
At Al Azhar, parents are actively involved in their children's
\nextracurricular activities. Eight parents and three teachers will
\naccompany the students to Turkey.<\/p>\n
One of the parents, Rahmi, said positive activities like the
\nfestival were a good way to counter the street brawls.<\/p>\n
\"For us parents, it's a great relief to know our children are
\ndoing positive things,\" Rahmi said.<\/p>\n
The parents are happy to see their children taking part in the
\nfestival, although they have to pay for their children's tickets
\nto Turkey. The festival organizer will pay for the students'
\nexpenses while they are in Turkey.<\/p>\n
\"We hope our children's participation in the event will make
\npeople there see that Indonesia still boasts young and energetic
\nyoung talents,\" Rahmi said.<\/p>\n
It will be the second time Al Azhar has participated in the
\nfolk dance festival. Two years ago it sent a delegation to the
\nfestival, which was held in Rome.<\/p>\n
\"In Rome, the organizers honored our group as the most
\noutstanding performers,\" chairwoman of the Al Azhar Parents
\nAssociation Inti Nusantari Subagyo said.<\/p>\n
She said the students were participating in the festival at
\nthe invitation of the International Organization of Folk Art.<\/p>\n
\"Maybe because the school's dance group is already famous for
\nits Saman dance,\" Inti said.<\/p>\n
She said the group often was invited to perform for foreign
\nguests and at cultural events. The dance group also takes part in
\ncultural exchange programs, she added.<\/p>\n
\"The students need more than theories that they get at
\nschool... they also need to learn from their own experiences,
\nsuch as from this festival,\" Inti said. (ste)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/al-azhar-to-join-international-folk-dance-gala-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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