Exploring the Potential of Aceh’s Young Generation through Activities Implemented by AMANAH
By: Balqis Jamilah )*
Aneuk Muda Aceh Unggul Hebat (AMANAH) continues to be committed to exploring and developing the potential of the young generation of Aceh through various innovative and beneficial activities. One of the latest activities that reflects this dedication is a creative dance event held to provide a place for expression and talent development for young people in Aceh. This event is not just an art performance, but also a strategic effort to develop creative skills and increase the self-confidence of the young generation.
AMANAH has successfully held the Grand Final of the 2024 Creative Dance Competition with the theme “Aceh Na Gaya”. The event took place at the AAC Building of Syiah Kuala University (USK) in Banda Aceh City, and was attended by eight dance groups from various regions. In the competition, the Lhee Sagoe group won the title with the highest score, namely 99.
Lhee Sagoe raised a theme that tells the story of the food crisis that hit Aceh in 2002. Through their performance, the group wanted to convey an important message about the dangers of food waste and the importance of using resources wisely. Putri Nisrina, one of the personnel of Lhee Sagoe, explained that the story raised in the dance entitled “Peutitah Kisah” aims to provide education to Acehnese youth and the Indonesian people.
According to Putri Nisrina, this competition serves as a great encouragement for artists in Aceh to improve their creativity, especially in dance. She appreciates AMANAH’s initiative in organizing this prestigious event, assessing that the competition is very important in encouraging the progress and development of dance in Aceh. This event provides a very valuable opportunity for Acehnese youth to participate and show their creativity on a wider stage.
The jury, Novirela Minang Sari, explained that the participants who took part in the competition came from various regions in Aceh, including Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, and Lhokseumawe. They not only brought traditional elements from their respective regions but also combined them with modern art elements, creating innovative and interesting works. Novirela assessed that the development of creative dance in Aceh has shown significant changes, where participants are now starting to explore and modernize their dances, making them on par with the development of dance art in other regions.
The 2024 Creative Dance Competition organized by AMANAH has had a positive impact on the dance community in Aceh. Novirela emphasized that this event is highly anticipated by the people of Aceh, especially among dance artists. She noted that AMANAH has created an important platform that allows artists to express themselves and develop their skills. Novirela hopes that activities like this can continue and that the new AMANAH building can function as a center for arts activities that contribute to the growth and development of dance and culture in Aceh.
In addition to developing potential in dance arts, AMANAH also holds costume making training for carnivals to improve the creativity of Acehnese youth in designing and making costumes in an event entitled ‘Costume Carnival Class, Learn And Grow With AMANAH’.
Ade Sugriwa, one of the judges and mentors, expressed his admiration for the enthusiasm and creativity of the participants. He considered that this event demonstrated AMANAH’s commitment to supporting and developing the creativity of Aceh’s youth. Sugriwa hopes that this event can be a momentum for the revival of the creative economy in Aceh. He said that the carnival has many benefits, including opening up new jobs, and that activities like this are important to encourage creators to be more independent and creative.
The Creative Dance Competition and carnival costume making training are also important moments in the series of AMANAH activities, which are in line with their new building construction project. AMANAH’s new building is planned to be the center of arts and cultural activities in Aceh, providing better facilities for various activities such as dance competitions, art workshops, and other cultural events. The construction of this new building is expected to improve the quality and capacity of organizing large events, providing a wider space for the young generation of Aceh to be creative and achieve.
With the new building, AMANAH will be able to provide more adequate facilities to support the development of arts and culture in Aceh. This building will be equipped with a larger performance space, practice studio, and multipurpose room that can be used for various events, including dance competitions, concerts, and art exhibitions. The construction of this building is part of AMANAH’s commitment to continue to contribute to advancing local arts and culture and provide greater support to artists and art practitioners in Aceh. The young generation of Aceh is expected to continue to explore their potential and be creative in the arts and other fields according to their potential.
)* Artists Living in Aceh
