Bali Arts Festival rescheduled, again

DENPASAR: For the second time, the Bali administration has been forced to re-schedule the cultural parade and opening ceremony of Bali Arts Festival from the planned Monday kickoff to Sunday, as requested by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Initially, the Bali Arts Festival was scheduled to kick off on Saturday. On Wednesday, Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika announced that the opening ceremony would be held on Monday, at the request of the President.

“[Nevertheless] last night, I was informed by the President that he will travel overseas on Sunday, and thus the Arts Festival will kick off Sunday. The President has confirmed his attendance,” Pastika told reporters after meeting the Bali Legislative Council in Denpasar.

Yudhoyono will officially open the arts festival at the Ardha Chandra Art Center in downtown Denpasar on Sunday evening, as well as attend the cultural parade along the streets in front of Bajrasandhi Monument in Renon in the afternoon.

Pastika said that the organizers had begun informing all participants of the cultural parade and opening ceremony of the new schedule.

“The new schedule might cause some problems. But we are sure that we will solve all the problems. We hope the mass media can help us to announce this change,” Pastika added.

Due to the latest change, the administration had to revise its billboards and banners. No other schedule changes will occur during the month-long festival, the administration assured.

Bali’s largest art fiesta will feature more than 300 traditional Balinese performances, exhibitions and discussions on cultural issues. Around 15,000 local and international artists are expected to participate in the festival, which ends on July 7.