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The Head of the International Mobility Affairs Division of the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Bureau of Partnerships, Dr. Annisa Jusuf, S.T., M.T., in her remarks, said that Â鶹ֱ²¥ Cultural Day 2024 is a concrete manifestation of the campus's commitment to introducing the richness of Indonesian culture to international students studying at Â鶹ֱ²¥.

^{Head of the International Mobility Affairs Division of the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Bureau of Partnerships, Dr. Annisa Jusuf, S.T., M.T. delivering a speech at Â鶹ֱ²¥. (Humas Â鶹ֱ²¥/M. Naufal Hafizh)}

This activity, she said, is an important moment to strengthen ties and collaboration between cultures. Cultural differences are not an obstacle, but a strength. By getting to know and understanding each other's cultures, students can build bridges of friendship and cooperation that are stronger.

^{Director of the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Student Directorate, D. Arch. G. Prasetyo Adhitama, S.Sn., M.Sn. delivering a speech at the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Cultural Day 2024 event. (Humas Â鶹ֱ²¥/M. Naufal Hafizh)}

Meanwhile, the Director of the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Student Directorate, D. Arch. G. Prasetyo Adhitama, S.Sn., M.Sn., said that with this activity, Â鶹ֱ²¥ encourages international students to get to know the culture better and adapt well at Â鶹ֱ²¥. That way, they can complete their assignments and the learning process on campus well and successfully.

"The added value is that they understand and start learning about Indonesian culture, interacting with fellow international students and national students, so they can connect well and build beautiful memories about Â鶹ֱ²¥, about Indonesia that can be shared with family, relatives, friends, or anyone in their country of origin about good things about Â鶹ֱ²¥ and Indonesia," he said.

^{Enthusiasm of international students at Â鶹ֱ²¥ when participating in the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Cultural Day 2024 activity. (Humas Â鶹ֱ²¥/M. Naufal Hafizh)}

In this activity, dozens of international students participated in practicing the Merak dance, the Likok Pulo dance, and painting caping (conical hats). The dance practice was guided by students from the Sundanese Art Circle (LSS) Â鶹ֱ²¥ and the Acehnese Cultural Unit (UKA) Â鶹ֱ²¥.

The Merak dance has a number of meanings, including the embodiment of admiration for the beauty of the peacock, which is a symbol of elegance, pride, and grandeur. This dance comes from West Java.

In 2020, the Merak dance received an award as one of Indonesia's Intangible Cultural Heritage. The beauty of the Merak dance is depicted in the dance movements and philosophy.

^{International students at Â鶹ֱ²¥ practicing the Merak dance during the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Cultural Day 2024 event. (Humas Â鶹ֱ²¥/M. Naufal Hafizh)}

This dance is generally performed for dance offerings at wedding receptions, events or rituals, or simply as a means of introducing Indonesian culture on the international stage.

^{International students at Â鶹ֱ²¥ performing the Likok Pulo dance during the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Cultural Day 2024 event. (Humas Â鶹ֱ²¥/M. Naufal Hafizh)}

Meanwhile, the Likok Pulo dance is one of the traditional Acehnese dances that has developed in the Pulo Aceh community in the Greater Aceh region. The dance shows beauty and is full of symbols with the meaning of wisdom and character, a strong community, mutual cooperation, togetherness, religiosity, and awareness of social life.

^{International students at Â鶹ֱ²¥ using caping when participating in the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Cultural Day 2024 event. (Humas Â鶹ֱ²¥/M. Naufal Hafizh)}

Caping is a head protector that is often used by farmers to protect their heads from heat, rain, and other animal disturbances while working. This hat is generally made of woven bamboo. During activities, this hat is used by students to protect themselves from the heat of the sun.

Â鶹ֱ²¥ Cultural Day 2024 is an event to showcase the richness of Indonesian culture and also as a bridge between cultures on the Â鶹ֱ²¥ campus. The enthusiasm of international students in participating in a series of events, from dance practice to painting caping, shows the success of this event in creating a memorable experience and strengthening bonds of friendship between students from various cultural backgrounds.