Various food and beverages from many regions in Indonesia were served at the Cultural Parade and Welcome Dinner before the World Conference on Culture, Education and Science (WISDOM) 2010 in UGM Hall on Sunday evening (5/12). The event attended by university leaders and faculty, representatives from 15 countries, local governments, university students, was enlivened with dance and procession from universities throughout Indonesia.
The procession that started with the performance of Sultan’s Palace and Pakualaman soldiers performing to the music amazed the guests. The atmosphere became livelier when the students from various universities performed traditional dances, such as Rewe Rewe Dance from Senggotan Bantul, Jathilan, Srikandi and Watang Dance, Reog Singo Srowo Dance and Lawung Dance.
The student choir also performed medley songs from Padang Bulan & Cublak-Cublak Suweng, Masa Kecil, Can’t Smile without You to Cik-Cik Periuk. Not less than 38 universities and dance groups joined the procession in front of the invited guests.
"We hope this kind of activity can revive the image of Yogyakarta as a tourism city after the eruption of Mt. Merapi," said Secretary of Yogyakarta Province Government, Ir. Tri Hardjun Ismaji, M. Sc, in his opening speech.
Representing the Governor of Yogyakarta, Tri Hardjun congratulated on the event. The Provincial Government fully understands about the delay of WISDOM due to the eruption. "The eruption made it not possible to fly to and from Yogyakarta," he added.
Rector of UGM, Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Sc, Ph.D., welcomed the guests for their participation in Wisdom 2010. He hoped that they would contribute to the specific discussion about the role of Dr. Ann Dunham Soetoro and Prof. Dr. Mubyarto in developing democratic economy. "The various multi-disciplinary approaches are expected to solve local and global problems," the Rector said.
He said that each participant’s identity is expected to complement each other during discussions on a variety of topics. In addition, they can share experience so that they can find a formula for solving current global problems.