Opening of KSI Banda Aceh, to promote Korean language and culture in the Aceh region of Indonesia

> Spreading Korean language and education in the Aceh region, Indonesia
> Sharing joy with traditional dance performances of the two countries

On September 6, the opening ceremony of KSI Banda Aceh was held, in Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia. Syiah Kuala University, the local operating institution, and the University of the Nations Jeju, the Korean operating institution, shared the joy of opening the location through traditional dance performances of the two countries in the graduate school auditorium at Syiah Kuala University.

The ceremony began with the Fanup Lampuan dance of the Arts college performance team of Syiah Kuala University. Lee Hai-young, President of KSIF, remarked, “A cultural agreement between Korea and Indonesia was signed in 2007, and the Korean Cultural Center was opened in Jakarta in 2011, developing the friendship between the two countries. Unfortunately, however, exchanges were centered mainly in Java, where Jakarta is located, and the Banda Aceh region did not get opportunities for exchanges compared to other regions.” She added that she would do her best to help local residents and students experience Korea in an easy and fun way.

President Lee Chang-hun of the University of the Nations Jeju commented, “Friends can be made in a short time, but developing friendships takes time. Let us help and bless each other through KSI Banda Aceh, which is the result of the two universities’ friendship and trust in the relationship built up over the years.” Chancellor Marwan of Syiah Kuala University expressed his expectation for KSI Banda Aceh to play a central role in the development of the Banda Aceh region. Next, the representatives of the two countries beat the traditional drum of the Aceh region together and announced the opening of the KSI. A student at Syiah Kuala University sang a K-pop song and showed how Korean culture fascinates young people.

The final performance was by Team “One Voice” from the University of the Nations Jeju, which travels around the world to perform traditional Korean music and dance. The opening celebration event included Jindo drum dance, pansori Chunhyangga, and a gentle but powerful fan dance, and ended with pannori, in which farmers danced happily to hope for a good harvest, and celebrate after the harvest.

Afterwards, new students at KSI Banda Aceh and students at the Arts College at Syiah Kuala University had time to learn traditional Korean dance from Once Voice. The students fell in love with the beauty of Korean dance, learning basic moves of traditional Korean dance in hanbok that they had seen in dramas.

The reason why the opening of KSI Banda Aceh was even more meaningful is that this is an area that was swept away by a ferocious tsunami. We hope that the young people in the region of Aceh in Indonesia will grow their dreams by learning Korean language and culture at KSI Banda Aceh, and also take new steps toward promoting the development of the local community.

Written by Lee Jeong-hee (KSI Reporter, Operating Staff at KSI Banda Aceh, Indonesia)