The art fiesta’s third incarnation, which followed previous events in 2007 and 2008, was held in downtown Ubud.

Thousands of local and foreign tourists packed the area and worsened traffic conditions the town’s already-congested streets.

Ubud — recently named the best city in Asia by Conde Nast Traveller, a US-based tourism publication — was chosen to host the festival in a bid to bring out the village’s natural and cultural beauty.

The festival opened Friday night with Tri Hita Karana, a lively and spiritual cultural show that featured more than 100 Balinese artists who performed on an open-air stage at Astina soccer field.

“Tri Hita Karana shows the essence of a harmonious relationship between humans and God, humans and nature, as well as between humans, which is expressed in a combination of dance and music,” said music director Dewa Budjana.

The show began with the Gayatri Mantram prayer, which was sung by Balinese artist Ayu Laksmi and Budjana. The prayer was followed by the Rerat Rerot song-and-dance, which was performed by Kadek Dewi.

Teenager Gita Gutawa sang Cening Putri Ayu in a duet with Ayu Laksmi, which was presented in a medley of other traditional Balinese and pop songs.

The show was closed by the performance of Balinese dance maestro I Nyoman Sura. The performance, entitled Temple Island, told of an island of gods where thousands of temples were built.

Tickets for the show cost  Rp 250,000 (US$27.50) but people could also watch the show for free while standing by the stage.

The organizing committee said proceeds would be used to preserve Balinese culture.

“We will channel the money to activities that preserve local culture, such as donations to dance studios,” said organizing committee member Dimas Arief Senoaji.

The event was funded by Sekar Saji Nusantara, a foundation focusing on cultural preservation, and supported by the Gianyar regency, he added.

On Saturday, Regent Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati opened the Ubud Street Bash carnival, which featured traditional dance, music, fashion and more than 1,000 performers, who paraded down Ubud’s busiest street.

Seven groups from Gianyar presented giant papier-mache ogoh-ogoh effigies, each depicting a different character from a Hindu tales. 

The winner of the youth beauty pageant, Jegeg-Bagus Gianyar, also joined the street carnival.
The parade’s highlight was a 50-model fashion show of Balinese tenun (woven cloth).

Models showcased hand-woven masterpieces from 22 Indonesian designers, such as Chossy Latu, Denny Wirawan, Deden Siswanto, Ivan Gunawan, Barli Asmara, Ali Charisma and Ubud’s Tjok Abi.

Gempita Gianyar presented two other back-to-back programs: the Youth Art Camp and an intellectual property rights seminar. 

Art camp participants also had the chance to perform in the Tri Hita Karana show and the street carnival.

The art fiesta concluded Saturday night with a dinner reception hosted by the Gianyar royal court at the Puri Agung Peliatan.

— JP/Desy Nurhayati

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