Remembering Pena Monument "Simpang Mesra" Banda Aceh
A monument is traced majestically in Simpang Mesra, Jeulingke Banda Aceh. All those who were students in the provincial capital of Aceh, know the intersection, which is located on the entrance track to the two campuses in Darusaalam.
The monument was named the 'Student Army' tuga built to remind the younger generation of the lunge of the Acehnese students during the struggle against the occupiers. At the top of the monument, there is the emblem of a pen, as a message that the younger generation continues to add knowledge.
Quoted from the book Banda Aceh Heritage, Aceh Student Army (TPA) originated from the creativity of high school students Koetaradja which in May 1946 formed the Association of Indonesian Students (IPI) Aceh. From there they fought for Indonesian sovereignty.
Monument with a height of 17 meters with a diameter of under 45 meters contains philosophical values, idealism, heroism, loyalty, and the spirit of unity and unity of the student fighters. The monument was built on the initiative of former Aceh Student Army under the leadership of Amran Zamzami with architect Kamal Arif. The monument was inaugurated by the Governor of Aceh, Syamsuddin Mahmud in 1998.
Indeed the location of the monument is right in the middle of the road Teuku Nyak Arif, not far from Darussalam But who would have thought the roundabout was not just a street decoration.
In the middle of the Roundabout is a monument shaped like a pen tip that leads to the sky, beneath which there is a fire effect, not a genuine fire, but only in the form of illustrations depicting a turbulent flame.
Indeed, the monument looks so simple, but the construction of the monument in such a way, it turns out to illustrate how the spirit of Aceh youth past very high time in studying although in the face of the Dutch colonial situation.
It can be proven from the message written on the base of the monument "Learning While Fighting, And Fighting While Learning".
The monument is also the motivation of Aceh youth to remain enthusiastic in demanding you, despite facing various obstacles.