The charms of Bali Arts Festival

Tue, June 20, 2017 / 07:44 am

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Young Balinese dancers take a rest while waiting to perform at the opening of the 39th Bali Arts Festival at the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Denpasar. JP/Agung Parameswara
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Dancers are on standby as they wait to perform during the opening of the 39th Bali Art Festival at the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Denpasar. JP/Agung Parameswara
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A young woman poses for a photo before performing at the opening of the 39th Bali Art Festival at the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Denpasar. JP/Agung Parameswara
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A young Balinese man takes part in the opening of the 39th Bali Art Festival at the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Denpasar. JP/Agung Parameswara
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Balinese artists perform during the opening of the 39th Bali Art Festival at the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Denpasar. JP/Agung Parameswara
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Balinese artists perform the Okokan dance during the opening of the 39th Bali Art Festival at the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Denpasar. JP/Agung Parameswara
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Young Balinese men play in a gambean (Balinese orchestra) during the opening of the 39th Bali Art Festival at the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Denpasar. JP/Agung Parameswara
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Balinese women walk while carrying offerings on their heads during the opening of the 39th Bali Art Festival at the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Denpasar. JP/Agung Parameswara
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A Balinese woman performs during the opening of the 39th Bali Art Festival at the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Denpasar. JP/Agung Parameswara
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Young Balinese women parade in colorful costumes during the opening of the 39th Bali Art Festival at the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Denpasar. JP/Agung Parameswara
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Shadows of artists are visible during the opening of the 39th Bali Art Festival at the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Denpasar. JP/Agung Parameswara
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Balinese women carry gebongan (offerings) during the opening of the 39th Bali Art Festival at the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Denpasar. JP/Agung Parameswara

The 2017 Bali Arts Festival is taking place from June 10 to July 8 in front of the Bajra Sandhi People’s Struggle Monument in Denpasar. This year’s festival has a subtheme of “Ulun Danu”, which means preserving the water of life. The main theme is Panca Maha Bhuta, which means five elements of live including pertiwi [land], apah (water), bayu (air), teja (light) and akasa (ether).

Around 5,000 people, including four foreign art troupes are taking part in the festival. Artists from nine regencies in the resort island took part in the last festival. Other participants come from East Nusa Tenggara, Timor Leste and India.

A three-hour parade opened with Siwanatha Raja, a dance that depicts the universe created by the god Shiva.

Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said in his speech that the Bali Arts Festival should inspire other provinces, especially those who were listed as tourism and cultural destinations. Through the cultural event, the Bali Arts Festival is expected to increase solidarity as Indonesia is built based on the diversity of different cultures. [yan]