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s an item of the world’s intangible cultural heritage, Balinese dance should be preserved through education programs targeting young Balinese people, a minister has said.

Culture and Education Minister Anies Baswedan said the government and community had the responsibility to ensure the preservation following recognition from UNESCO.

“Once it is stipulated, the preservation should be carried out. The development should be made. We have a responsibility to ensure that as it has been recognized as world heritage we have to preserve it,” Anies said in Denpasar after handing over the UNESCO certificate to Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika recently.

The certificate states that nine Balinese dances from three genres have been included on UNESCO’s representative list of items of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

The recognized dances comprise three wali (sacred dances) Rejang, Sanghyang Dedari and Baris Upacara; three bebali (semi-sacred dances) Topeng Sidakarya, Gambuh and Wayang Wong; and three balih balihan (entertainment dances) Legong Kraton, Joged Bumbung and Barong Ket Kuntisraya.

Anies said education programs through art workshops would be continued, especially to preserve Balinese dances that have been recognized as belonging to the world’s heritage.

“After the UNESCO recognition, it means that these dances are world assets, not only Bali’s assets and not only Indonesia’s assets. Therefore, they must be maintained,” Anies said.

Anies emphasized that the Balinese should be very proud. “This certificate has not just been given to the Bali provincial administration. This is given to the litany of all Balinese culture,” he said.

Anies added that the certificate would also prevent other countries from claiming the dances as theirs. “This is also important to motivate us to promote more on the world level. So, we hope that more dances will be certified,” he added.