Accommpanied by the beat of rebana or rapai Deputy Minister Sapta Nirwandar and Bireuen District Regent H. Ruslan M. Daud launched the Seudati Aceh Dance Festival 2012 at the ministry office, Jakarta, Saturday (8/11).
Initiated by Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the Seudati Aceh Dance Festival 2012 will be held in Bireuen District next October 2012 in coincidence with Bireuen District Anniversary and at the same time to welcome Visit Aceh Year 2013. As many as 18 districts in Aceh province will participate in the festival.
We expect the festival to promote Seudati dance as one of national and specifically Acehnese cultural assets. Furthermore, we we hope the dance will be acknowledged as World Intangible Heritage Site by UNESCO, following Saman dance which previously has been admitted as one,” said Sapta Nirwandar.
Meanwhile, Ruslan M. Daud stated that it was an honor that Bireuen District is appointed as the organizer of Seudati Dance Festival 2012. This event is significant to support the development of Seudati Dance and to avoid other countries claiming,” Ruslan added.
Seudati dance is an icon of Aceh people that has been developed since the Islamic spread in Aceh. Seudati, derived from Arabic language shahadatain, has been used as media of da’wah (Islamic preaching). Performed by 8 men, the dance was developed in the Estern Aceh and Bireuen and then becomes typical Aceh dance.
The launching of Seudati Festival was also attended by members of Commission X of the House of Representatives, Acehnese public figures, Director for Domestic Tourism Marketing M. Faried, and Head of Aceh Province Tourism Office.