T

he sounds of Okokan wooden cowbells marked the official opening of the 37th Bali Arts Festival at the Ardha Candra open stage at the Bali Art Center on Saturday night.

The sounds of the traditional musical instrument from Tabanan regency that was played by Tourism Minister Arief Yahya marked the start of the much awaited one-month arts festival.

'€œBali has a huge potential for the cultural industry. I feel sure that Bali can beat the world in the cultural industry,'€ Arief said.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika said the festival was an event for Balinese artistes to be appreciated as well as a communication tool for artistes that was the pride of the Balinese.

'€œThis event is strategic not only in preserving traditional Balinese art but also in revitalizing the value of the arts,'€ he said.

A grand Balinese drama dance, Ayodya Kertanegara, from the famous Hindu epic Ramayana, was the highlight of the opening ceremony.

About 250 students and lecturers of Denpasar'€™s Indonesia Arts Institute (ISI) performed in front of thousands of people, including Culture and Elementary and Secondary Education Minister Anies Baswedan, Governor Pastika, prominent Bali figures and artistes, as well as ambassadors and consuls general from several countries.

A cultural street parade was also held on Saturday afternoon around the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Renon, Denpasar, displaying the richness of culture from across Bali, as well as from other provinces and from overseas.

About 15,000 artistes performed during the street parade, which started at the Bali governor'€™s office and ended at the Bajra Sandhi Monument.

Twenty-six art groups from other provinces will participate in the festival, including from Banten, Jakarta and Yogyakarta, as well as from overseas, such as from Australia, India, Japan, Timor Leste and the US.

During the festival, which runs through July 11, many art performances, including dance, theater, music and art exhibitions, will be staged every day at the Bali Art Center.