Aiming to create an iconic event, Ungasan village in South Kuta district on Tuesday kicked off its first annual festival, which brings together art, culture, cuisine and sport competitions.
The festival was kicked off by a street parade involving the village’s youth dressed in traditional attire, followed by a tug-of-war competition and a performance by a baleganjur (Balinese gamelan) orchestra.
Involving around 1,500 participants from 13 banjar (traditional hamlets) in the village, the five-day festival aimed to revive the village’s traditional heritage, especially its unique culinary flair.
“We want to preserve the local culture and provide an opportunity for villagers from all hamlets to get together and strengthen solidarity among them,” village head I Wayan Sugita Putra said.
“This festival is also an opportunity for them to explore their creativity through art performances and cooking competitions,” he added.
Among the traditional cuisines that will grace the festival include rujak kuah pindang (mixed fruit in fish gravy), tipat kalas (rice cakes in curry gravy) and sambal adam (chilli sauce mixed with nuts).
“Each banjar will make a dish and join the cooking competition,” Putra said.
“We hope that this festival will be a new icon for our village and will make Ungasan famous, not only for its natural potential, but also for its culture. We will hold this festival every year.”
The festival will stage a performance of comedy topeng bondres, as well as dancing and baleganjur.
Besides local people, owners of hotels, villas and restaurants in Ungasan were expected to participate at the festival.
The organizer said he expected tourists and expatriates residing in the village to participate in the festival, such as by joining sports competitions, including badminton, chess, table tennis, a sack race, cycling and running.
The five-day festival will feature 1,500 participants from 13 banjar (traditional hamlets).
