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rt and culture had united the people and brought peace to the world, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said during his opening remarks for the 36th Bali Arts Festival (PKB) at the Ardha Chandra open stage at the Bali Arts Center in Denpasar on Friday evening.

'€œThis is the last time I will open the festival. But, I will always return to Bali,'€ the President said before the audience of thousands.

The President, who also attended the afternoon parade in Renon, went on to say that art and culture were soft powers that had universal values and could unite people, regardless of their backgrounds.

'€œArt connects people, while politics may divide us all,'€ the President commented.

During the lavish opening ceremony, Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika presented the island'€™s highest cultural award, the Ista Budaya Nugraha Mahotama, to the president for his contribution to the arts.

The award was an 18th century kris dagger.

'€œThe Balinese humbly present the award to President Yudhoyono,'€ the governor said.

In the afternoon, thousands of dancers, musicians and performers took part in a spectacular cultural parade marking the opening of the arts festival at the Bajrasandhi Monument in Renon.

Sitting on a stage, President Yudhoyono and his wife, First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, together with his entourage and scores of high-ranking officials, diplomats and distinguished guests, waved happily as they greeted the participants.

Clad in traditional Balinese apparel, Yudhoyono looked in buoyant mood, despite this being the last PKB he would open as President.

Education and Culture Minister Mohammad Nuh, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, as well as Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik, were seen among the guests.

Meanwhile, thousands of local residents and tourists patiently stood along the streets, which were closed to make way for the long procession.

Groups of students and lecturers from the Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI) Denpasar, who performed a vibrant Balinese percussion ensemble, opened the parade.

Bearing the theme, '€œKertamasa, a revival of the life of agrarian society'€, the festival is one of the most popular art events for local residents and visitors to Bali.

The cultural parade commenced at the intersection of Jl. Muhammad Yamin-Jl. Raya Puputan and marched through a 500-meter route to Jl. Raya Puputan Renon.

Hundreds of dancers performed the Ciwa Nata Raja dance, also performed by ISI students, while hundreds of military personnel from Udayana Military Command performed the Gotong Royong dance, delivering messages of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).

Eight regencies and Denpasar city displayed their unique art and culture during the parade, which included youths wearing traditional clothes, gebogan (extravagant offerings), decorative cars and others.

More than 3,000 artists performed during the parade, including an Indian dance performed by participants from the Indian Cultural Center. Traditional art and cultural shows from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) were also featured.

'€œThe art parade displays the richness of Balinese agricultural society and the richness of Indonesian culture,'€ Pastika said.

Pastika said all performances at the festival would show that the richness and uniqueness of Balinese culture had been well-preserved.

Meanwhile, the opening ceremony in the afternoon at the arts center in Denpasar featured a performance taken from the Ramayana epic, performed by students and lecturers from Denpasar'€™s ISI.

The Balinese dance '€” Bali Dwipa Jaya '€” initiated by Pastika, was also staged during the opening ceremony.

The 36th PKB will run until July 12. For one month, people can enjoy artistic performances including dance, theater, music and art exhibitions '€” held on seven stages in the Art Center compound.

Delegations from other provinces will also participate in the festival along with representatives from eight countries, including the US, India and the Netherlands.