Bali Arts Festival

The oldest art festival in Indonesia
Start: 11 June 2022
End: 9 July 2022

Contact

Direct contact

Address

Jl. Nusa Indah No.1, Panjer, Kec. Denpasar Sel., Kota Denpasar, Bali 80236, Indonesia

GPS: -8.655620563806, 115.23387214373

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Inaugurated in 1979, the Bali Arts Festival is the oldest arts festival in Indonesia. It aims to preserve, support and promote traditional Balinese art, music and culture. This large-scale event is intended to both the local population and international tourists.

The Bali Arts Festival is the major event of the year for dozens of dance, art and music groups and schools from Bali, other Indonesian provinces and abroad.

This great folk art festival takes many forms over a period of almost a month. The programme includes parades, handicraft exhibitions, art competitions, culinary, sculpture and photography workshops, puppet shows, dances, ballets, theatre performances, traditional music and flower arrangements.

The heart of the event is hold at the cultural complex in Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali. Traditionally, the festivities are launched by the President of the Republic of Indonesia in person by ringing a large wooden kulkul bell which faces the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Renon Square (this place commemorates the struggles of the Balinese people in the history of the country).

The Bali Arts Festival begins with a large street parade (a parade featuring the towns or villages of Bali) and an opening ceremony involving several thousand artists dressed in colourful traditional costumes.

This aesthetically pleasing event features Balinese artists in cultural performances, handicraft exhibitions and many other artistic activities. Each year, a new theme is featured to promote the diversity and artistic richness of Balinese culture. In 2022, water as a source of life (“Danu Kerthi Huluning Amreta”) is the main focus of the Bali Arts Festival.

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  • The many shows and performances
  • The traditional Balinese arts reflecting the important cultural heritage of the archipelago
  • The beauty of the dress and costumes
  • The various activities organized each day during the festival (workshops, fashion shows, exhibitions, competitions, seminars, culinary events…)
  • This event is called Pesta Kesenian Bali (PKB) in Indonesian. It was established by Ida Bagus Mantra, former governor of Bali, with the aim of showcasing the finest local artworks to further the promotion, preservation and development of Balinese cultural arts.
  • The organizers have banned plastic in the design of the festival’s decorative objects. They are now made from natural materials such as prada cloth, palm leaves, coconuts, flowers and bamboo.
  • Artistic performances take place every day at the Denpasar Cultural Complex (Taman Werdhi Budaya Arts Centre).
  • Entrance to the Bali Arts Festival is free.
  • Fees apply to some performances. Tickets can be purchased at the Denpasar Tourist Office.