The Bali Arts Festival is officially underway on the island of the gods. Now in its 45th year, the month-long event will run from 18 June until 16 July and will feature thousands of local performers and international acts. The event is always a major highlight in the annual tourism calendar.
The chosen theme for this year’s festival is Segara Kerthi: Prabhaneka Sandhi, meaning ‘the Oceans as the Source of Civilization’. In line with this concept, the festival will celebrate the beauty and majesty of the sea, while highlighting its importance to cultural identity and traditional knowledge on the island.
The festival was officially opened by Megawati Soekarnoputri, the fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia, who kicked off the grand opening parade during a performance at the Ardha Candra Denpasar Stage on 18 June. The Grand Opening Parade included members of the Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI) and performances by groups from the nine regencies of Bali.
Festival activities will be centred around a number of renowned buildings and landmarks, including the Taman Budaya Art Center in Denpasar, the ISI Denpasar Campus and the People’s Struggle Monument.
Various art troupes from 14 cities and provinces across Indonesia will participate in Bali Arts Festival 2023, representing – among others – Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Sleman, Bekasi, East Kalimantan and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
Around 75-80 local painters and artists will display their works during the festival, showcasing a number of distinctive Balinese schools of art, including Kamasan, Batuan and Padangtegal. The Provincial Government will present awards and trophies to 10 senior Balinese artists during the event.
In addition, visitors to the Bali Arts Festival will be able to enjoy a range of culinary delights and handicrafts from across the archipelago, particularly at Taman Budaya, where there will be a series of pop-up stands, boutiques and workshops to explore.
Travellers who miss the main event will still be able to witness many of Bali’s cultural delights, as it will be followed by Festival Bali Jani, which will run until 30 July. Scheduled activities include competitions, exhibitions, parades, seminars, workshops and an awards program, along with plays, animated films, choral competitions and stand-up comedy.
