The Art and Culture Dance Student Activity Unit of the Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU Dance UKM) won 1st place in the Folklore Dance category at the International Olympic Art Games Sopravita Festival in Italy Saturday (15/1).
International Olympic Art Games Sopravita Festival is an Italian organization that excels and specializes in realizing the famous International Art Festivals in Italy. The festival was held online from December 1, 2021 – January 7, 2022. While the Dance UKM, chaired by Anugrah Senja Sari Nasution, has been preparing since last November. Accompanied by Dharma Ari Prianto as a trainer.
UMSU Rector, Dr. Prof. Agussani, M.AP, also saluted on the achievement, “Congratulations, UKM Dance has succeeded in evolving the first winner of Folklore Dance in Italy and made the University glorious,” he said.
Dharma Ari Prianto appreciated this achievement, “Alhamdulillah, thank God, I didn’t expect to be the first rank in this international competition. Initially, I just took part in bringing cultural dances from Sumatera. But, keep learning because maintaining achievements is more difficult than achieving them.”
Meanwhile, the head of the Dance UKM was also grateful for this achievement, “Alhamdulillah, I’m definitely happy to get 1st place out of 31 countries and at the same time represent Indonesia. It’s all thanks to the support of UMSU University, Public Relations, and all the people around,” said Senja, the general chairman of the UMSU Dance UKM.
Two dances in the Folklore Dance category included in this festival are Gebyar Nusantara and Tongkat Panaluan. The two dances successfully brought the UMSU Dance UKM to beat Folklore Dance from other countries such as Austria and Malaysia.