Divided by land, distinguished by flag and enriched by culture, yet the 21st century brought nations together by chain of commerce, technological advancement and most importantly, by spirit of curiosity and amity of other culture. In similar vein, University Al-Azhar Indonesia (UAI) and its partner attempted to honour the vast culture mother earth have provided.
The Brainchild of Comufest 2025
Universitas Al-Azhar Indonesia (UAI) organized the 3rd Communication Multicultural Festival (COMUFEST) on January 15, 2025, in the Auditorium of the UAI building. UAI invited Akemi Business School (ABS), with its delegation led by Dr. Kirti Dang Longani, Associate Director and delegations from Ajeenkya DY Patil University (ADYPU), led by Dr. Sugandh Arora, Assistant Professor at the School of Management.
The event showcased numerous countries culture from all region of the world, where UAI students, officials and staffs dressed their designated countries traditional or iconic clothes, designed booths that fit the cultural aesthetic of their respective countries, they made food and drinks along with performed dance, song, storytelling or re-enacting iconic movie scene from their designated countries. The festival started within the streets of Jakarta.
Comufest Parade
To highlight the unity of diversity, participants of the events including the delegations from ABS and ADYPU, UAI officials and leaders take a group photo in the Red Stairs of UAI building.
Then, the parade take the center stage as the participants hit the street of Jakarta to show the rainbow of culture UAI proudly wear.
Opening of the Festival
Prof. Dr. Ir. Asep Saefuddin, M.Sc, Rector of UAI, highlighted the importance of knowing other culture as an asset for the future.
Today, communication with other countries has become easier than ever, which create new market, new team composed of international citizens and new opportunities in other countries. Thus, necessitates the need for students to know other culture to create new connection and maximize employment or entrepreneurial opportunities.
Then, Ms. Gusmia Arianti, S.E., M.Si, Head of Communication Study Program of UAI. reiterated Prof. Asep remarks.
In our line of work, communication, we need to understand people to succeed and one of the ways to achieve it is to understand their culture.That is why this event was created, to understand other nation culture and make something positive from this experience.
With opening remarks finished, group photo ushered us to the next agenda of the festival where Comufest live up to its multicultural premise.
Strolling Booths Around The Globe
The auditorium was brimmed with students from all faculties, wandering, looking, tasting foods, and taking pictures from numerous colorful and exciting booths that stood in the room. We see booths from the Netherlands, China, France, and India that are run by students from ADYPU and ABS, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom with each booth showed their own distinct looks and flavors. This opportunity enabled students to interact with each other through the assortments of national booths, which further amplified cross-cultural interaction and understanding between nations.
Performance That Stole The Show
After exploring the eventful booths, audience witness a delightful spectacle from each group of nations, where they perform their designated countries culture in the form that range from dancing, singing, storytelling, skits, reenactment of iconic tv shows or movies that would serve as a highlight and underscore the crux of the endearing festival.
As the audience cheered and laughed at the performances of each group, the last performance sent them in a raptured state. Delegation from ABS and ADYPU enter the stage, start playing and dancing to numerous Indian songs such as The Mahabharata, Bole Chudiyan, and Chammak Calo. The dance effectively dazzled the audiences, brought them to the stage, and then dance in unison as if they’re in a Bollywood movie. This performance has truly, without a shadow of a doubt, stole the show.
Awarding Session
The end of the performance brought us to the awarding session, where there are two awards that can be won, Best Booth and Best Costume. The English groups won the Best Booth for their authentic and captivating booth.
The Best Costume award was won by the Thailand team as they effortlessly dressed as Thai royalty and common people in the medieval period.
Conclusion
As the awarding session reached its mark, the festival closed on a high note. The cultural zeitgeist the event has ushered was nothing short of extraordinary, it brought joy, understanding, laughter, collaborations, insights, and above all unity between Indonesian and Indian faculties that hopefully inspires further amity and curiosity for other cultures. (BR)