Celebrating cultural diversity during an evening of togetherness is one of the most highly anticipated annual events at AIIAS. Initiated by the Student Association to cap the Academic Year 2021-2022, the Cultural Night program on August 7 embraced the theme “A Voyage Beyond Borders”. Siew Huy Auditorium was transformed into “AIIAS Airways”, an “airline” that took its audience on a journey through the homelands from which its passengers have come.
AIIAS is home to students representing approximately 50 nationalities. These have been grouped into communities integrated on one residential campus. Forming a unique array of entertaining presentations, selected communities presented the best features of their regions around the world.
The event began with an outdoor international food festival where attendees enjoyed tasting street food-style delicacies from different countries. Then the program opened with a parade of national flags and a brief introduction to each featured country’s national capital, geographic features, climate, population, and neighboring countries. After a safety demonstration by the AIIAS Airways “cabin crew,” two hosts played the part of travelers who took the audience through a whirlwind of performances by various communities of AIIAS. The performances included children and adults, students and employees of AIIAS.
The Chinese Community presented a graceful rendition of Tai Chi, a traditional martial art practiced for exercise, defense training, health benefits, and medication.
The Southeast Asian Community performed the Cheraw Dance from Mizoram, India, a dance by ladies following rhythmic steps between beating pairs of bamboo. This was followed by Bangladeshi and Bollywood dance numbers featuring the festive colors of the Holi festival.
The Filipino Community presented an informative number on the diversity and beauty of 11 of the 182 ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines. They also performed an interpretative dance with a song highlighting the unity of the Filipinos who dream of a peaceful nation.
The European Community demonstrated their practice of sharing bread and salt as symbols of friendship and hospitality in Russia. Following this was a tour of famous architectural places, national heritages, and Adventist universities around Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, and Moldova. A historical background of the Russian Federation and the legacies left by their emperors and kingdoms was explained. The section also featured a Ukrainian song speaking of kindness and love to affirm that Christ and His love will always prevail.
The African Community displayed the African culture and the spirit of Ubuntu, which stands for “humanity to others,” as they presented a skit about hospitality offered to guests visiting Nigeria, ending in a joyful song by the whole community.
The Latin American Community treated the audience to a video presentation of various places, natural resources, and scenic splendors in South America. They rendered a song as an expression of unity, brotherhood, and friendship.
The Indonesian Community presented four spectacular performances from various regions of their country: The Ge Mu Fa Mi Re dance of East Nusa Tenggara, an angklung song from West Java, Kecak dance from Bali, and Saman dance from Aceh Province. They concluded their performance with a song praising the natural beauty of Indonesia and emphasizing the people’s love for their country.
“We weren’t just watching a travelog tonight. We were remembering how big the world is and how diverse the world is. I could see personally as I was watching this tonight that there was a need for Pentecost, not only for languages to be heard but for cultures to be heard,” remarked AIIAS President Ginger Ketting-Weller in her closing comments.
The Student Association officers expressed appreciation for the efforts of all who participated and supported from behind the scenes to make the event memorable.
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