Unhas-China Students Stage Cross-Cultural Performance
MAKASSAR – Students from the Indonesian Literature Department at Hasanuddin University (Unhas) and Hefei University of Technology, China, delivered a captivating collaborative art performance, showcasing a fusion of cultures through dance, poetry, music, and traditional attire.
The performance took place on Friday, December 6, 2024, at the Mini Hall of JSi, Indonesian Literature Department, Unhas, as part of the final project for the Performing Arts Management course.
The event featured a rich array of cultural arts, including dances from four ethnic groups, poetry readings, musical interpretations, and a fashion show blending traditional Chinese garments with the traditional attire of the Bugis, Toraja, Mandar, and Dayak peoples. This cross-cultural collaboration served as a platform for student creativity and a symbol of international friendship.
Head of the Indonesian Literature Department at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Unhas, Munira Hasjim, expressed appreciation for the students’ hard work. She hopes the collaboration with Hefei University of Technology will continue and lead to broader partnerships in the future.
Course instructor Inriati Lewa also attended and praised the students’ dedication. “This event proves that students are capable of working independently and are ready to enter the professional world,” she said.
The performance received full support from faculty members of the Indonesian Literature Department and the Head of the Arabic Literature Department. More than 100 spectators attended the meaningful and spirited show.
Students from Hefei University participated in a one-semester exchange program at Unhas, having studied the Indonesian language for two years at their home university. During their stay in Makassar, they actively joined campus activities, including the 68th Unhas Anniversary celebration on September 7, 2024, and the following day’s fun walk.
They also took a field trip to the Rammang-Rammang tourist site in Maros Regency as part of their cultural immersion. Before returning to China, some students planned to continue their journey to Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore.
As a gesture of cultural integration, the international students were given Indonesian names, including: Li Zexi (Markus), Wang Chenxu (Melisa), Guo Xinji (Amanda), Li Jingjing (Junita), Qian Mengyuan (Selvi), Zhou Yujun (Septy), Guo Xutong (Qilla), Ye Panting (Santi), Zhao Na (Nabila), Dai Xiang (Anggi), Wang Man (Pamela), Li Xiaohang (Rafa), and Zhon Runlin (Linda).
This program not only strengthened their Indonesian language skills through the Indonesian Language Proficiency course but also deepened their understanding of local culture. For these international students, the experience became a valuable foundation for building global networks and cross-cultural insight. (*)