The 38th Bali Arts Festival: “Preserving the Universal Harmony and Synergy”

The annual festival on the grand arts of the fabled island of Bali will again throw the spotlight on this paradise island as the 38th edition of the annual Bali Arts Festival will be rolled out from 11th June to 9th July 2016, to be centered on Bali's Art Center in Denpasar, capital of Bali Province.

For one full month, the best of Bali’s dances, music, and artistic expressions will be on display as Bali showcases its best cultural presentations. There will be daily performances of dance and music alongside countless related cultural and commercial activities during which literally the whole of Bali will converge on the city to present offerings of dance, music and beauty. The month-long festival will commence with a parade of performers from all districts in Bali and other Indonesian provinces.

This year, the festival carries the theme “"Paasuk Wetuning Bhuwana: Preserving the Universal Harmony and Synergy”. The philosophy is taken from historic factors, inspiration of folk arts esthetics, and everything else that have formed the Balinese art as it is today. The theme will be illustrated in parades and processions, exhibitions, competitions, seminars, and documentations.

The event itself will be highlighted with fascinating features among which are dance dramas (Sendratari), Bali Modern theatre, Photography Workshops, culinary festivals, and musical performances. There will also be exciting competitions such as documentary movie competitions, handicraft competitions, literary writing, painting, photography competitions, and more. Parades and processions will also be presented including the Gong Kebyar Parade, Topeng Panca Parade, Nglawang Parade, Dramatari ArjaParade, Joged Bumbung Parade, Semara pagulingan Parade, Drama Gong Parade, and many others.

Each year, the Bali Arts Festival features classical dances of the island, such as the legong, gambuh, kecak, barong, baris, mask dances and the like, on which contemporary dance choreographies have been created and old village dances and activities revived. Since most of the art and cultural activities in Bali are motivated by religious devotion, artists will attempt to create their best works. Through its 38 years history, the Bali Arts Festival has been a media to rediscover and preserve the unique and celebrated arts and culture of Bali, at the same time increase its people’s welfare. Through this special annual event, it is hoped that the true authentic wisdom and philosophy of the people of Bali will not only be preserved but will also grow and spread to other parts of the world.