Asian African Parade on April 17th 2016
Celebrating 61th Asian African Conference, Telkom University was engage in it.
The first large scale Asian–African or Afro–Asian Conference also known as the Bandung Conference (Indonesian: Konferensi Asia-Afrika) —was a meeting of Asian and African states, most of which were newly independent, which took place on April 18–24, 1955 in Merdeka Building, Bandung, Indonesia. The twenty-nine countries that participated at the Bandung Conference represented nearly one-quarter of the Earth’s land surface and a total population of 1.5 billion people. The conference was organized by Indonesia, Burma, Pakistan, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and India and was coordinated by Ruslan Abdulgani, secretary general of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Asian African Conference is a discussion among countries of Asia and Africa, which most just gained independence. The conference’s stated aims were to promote Afro-Asian economic and cultural cooperation and to oppose colonialism or neocolonialism by any nation. The conference was an important step toward the Non-Aligned Movement.
Bandung 17th April 2016 was a special day for Indonesia. As one of the pioneer of Asian African Conference, Bandung city held an 61th Asian African Conference commemoration titled “Memperkuat Solidaritas Pemuda Asia Afrika” literally means “Strengthening Solidarity of Asian African youth”. The series of event has started since April 17, 2016 and will be ended on 1 May 2016. One of the event is cultural parade that followed by many institutions and universities in Bandung. This affair attended by ambassador of each state, invited guests and local society who make this affair become festive event.
Telkom University as one of the prestigious university in Bandung, was invited as the participants to enliven the event. International office of Telkom University reply the invitation by sending the international students represent the University. 36 students were joining the parade and wearing traditional clothes (Balinese, Sundanese, Javanese, Padang, Palembang, Betawi, and even the traditional costume from their home country).
The event begins with the hoisting of the 109 Asian and African countries flag and the United Nations flag in Asian African Street and Dr. Ir Soekarno Street. Scouts and cavalry riding Pussenkav AD enliven the cultural parade in the street formerly known as the East Cikapundung. Drum band Canka Panorama that gets a lot of applause because it featured impressive drum band attractions. The group is a member of the Army Secapa look stunning. In addition, the parade was also held by a number of Asian and African cultures international students who do historical walk from Savoy Homann Hotel toward main stage at Dr. Ir Sukarno road. These routines have become the hallmark of Asian African Conference Commemoration every year.
Telkom University as one of the participants on the parade were walking along the Asian African street with another universities and groups which also join the festival. This event become exciting because it was the first time for most of them and a great experience while they’re in Indonesia. “It was a great experience, I really like it”, said some students. Some Indonesian were asking them to take a picture and selfie with them. Not to speak of, they took some selfies among themselves and their friends from another universities who has the same nationality with them to memorize their time wearing traditional clothes in a special event. They were so happy, enthusiastic, and very enjoy the moment.
