"Saman Dance" Enlivens APEC Summit

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The 'Saman', a traditional dance from the Aceh province of Indonesia, was performed in front of heads of state during a dinner on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Vladivostok.

According to a press release from the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow, received by ANTARA here on Monday, the dance was performed in front of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and other leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

The Saman dance, which was the highlight of the culture-themed dinner, was the only foreign dance performed before the invitees during the event and was scheduled as a closing item. All other dance performances on the occasion were Russian.

The Igor Moiseyev State Academic Folk Dance Ensemble performed dances that depicted the Russian summer, food, sailors and gypsy life.

According to the embassy, documentary films were also screened on the occasion, presenting the various countries that have hosted the APEC summit so far. It was also mentioned in one of the films that Indonesia would host the next APEC summit.

The Saman dance performance preceded the series of documentaries.

President Putin, flanked by President Yudhoyono, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other APEC leaders, applauded the Saman dance performers.(*/T007)