In this month (June 2013), Bali Art Festival or so called Pesta Kesenian Bali (PKB) is being held again. Bali Art Festival is a routine agenda which is always held by the Government of Bali Province in order to preserve the unique culture and art of Bali. The attractive side of this event is the engagement of all arts in every regency in Bali which is surely unique and captivating. This annual festival is always waited by not only Balinese, but also tourists who visit Bali. In short, besides preserving Balinese arts, this even can also attract more tourists to visit the Island of God.

Usually, Bali Art Festival is opened by a parade showing signature arts from every regency in Bali. Besides that, recently the participants of this parade are not only from Bali, but from regions outside Bali and even other countries. It is a fact that the opening parade is always interesting. Moreover, this opening ceremony is also attended by top officials, functionaries, and the president of Indonesian Republic. The opening parade of Bali Art Festival is usually held at Puputan City Park or Renon City Park. There, the spectators always flock to be able to see the parade directly. Besides that, the parade is always held on weekend, so Balinese have free time to watch the parade.

After the opening ceremony, Bali Art Festival will show and exhibit various kinds of traditional show, dance, art, and competition. These shows and exhibitions are all held in the area of Bali Art Centre (Taman Budaya Bali). This event will be held in one month (4 weeks) and held in the students’ semester break. Therefore, the Bali Art Centre will surely be very crowded by visitors every day to watch so much art shows and exhibitions. So many attentions are also given for the prestigious Gong Kebyar competition. Gong Kebyar is Balinese traditional music orchestra which is very beautiful and enjoyable to hear. The competition usually shows some Gamelan creation from each regency. You can expect spectacular and attractive show in this competition, because every participant aims for the best by doing so many creation and innovation.

After one full month of Bali Art Festival, this event will finally be closed by a performance of Balinese Sendratari. Sendratari is a kind of traditional drama with dance, song, and stunning attractions. Usually, there is also award session for the local artists who contribute much to the preservation and development of Balinese arts. Not like the opening ceremony which is done by parade, the closing ceremony is only be done in Bali Art Centre or inside the Ardha Candra open stage.

History

Bali Art Festival was pioneered by Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra in 1979. At that time, he proposed an idea to create an event as place for showing various kinds of Balinese arts. Therefore, in that year, the first Bali Art Festival or known as Pesta Kesenian Bali was held. Bali Art Festival is based on the Bali Local Policy number 07 Year 1986 about “Pesta Kesenian Bali” or “Bali Art Festival”. Like it was mentioned previously, Bali Art Festival was held firstly in 1979. At that time, the festival was held around 2 months from 20th of June until 23rd of August 1979. However, along with its development, the time for holding Bali Art Festival has been made shorter, only in one month.

Since it was held firstly in 1979, this event has successfully given opportunity for showing the finest piece of arts. This event is also aimed as a place for developing, preserving, and enrich the traditional arts of Bali. In Bali Art Festival you can even watch the ancient arts which are in the verge of extinction. By performing it in this event, these arts can be at least recognized and even preserved. Not only that, so many new arts which are formed from classic and modern arts can also be seen. This effort also is the concrete way to develop and enrich Balinese arts.

Bali Art Festival is often opened by the president. In its history, only once the opening ceremony is not attended by the president in 1979 or in the first year that Bali Art Festival was held. At that time the event was opened by the Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra which was the Governor of Bali and at the same time the pioneer of this festival. After that, the opening ceremony was always attended inaugurated by the President of Republic of Indonesia.

Bali Art Festival or Pesta Kesenian Bali is an important art event which always attracts the attention of national and international visitors. With its clear vision and mission related to the local culture preservation, the format of Bali Art Festival is now often imitated around Indonesia because of the same vision that they share. It is expected that this kind of event can always be done, so the local culture value and art existence can be maintained and you can read Bali Art Festival complete schedule here.