Thursday, June 25, 2009

President to Open the 31st Bali Art Festival



Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been confirmed his presence to officially opens the 31st Bali Art Festival - locally known as PKB - at Bali Art Center, Denpasar, tomorrow night (Saturday, June 13th). The President will open the festival titled “Mulat Sarira” in a traditional way.

Confirmation on President's presence was announced by the secretary of the organizing committee, Made Santha, on Thursday (June 11th). “After an official speech the President will open the festival by ‘nepak kulkul'. Following official opening the President, VIP invitees, and general public will enjoy presetation of Mahabrata drama-dance titled Bima Siwaga”, Santha explained.

Different from the opening ceremony in the previous years when President or other high ranking officials in charge open the festival prior to cultural parede, this year President will open the festival at the festival venue, Bali Art Center.

The parade which is scheduled to take place on Saturday (June 13th), prior to official opening, will be officially launched by Bali Governor, also in a traditional ritual of twisting cakra in a stage located in front of Banjar Kayumanis Kaja. Parade will take a straight route along Jalan Surapati and Jalan Hayam Wuruk, and will finish at Banjar Bengkel.

Instead of only in front of the stage like the previous years, people can will enjoy performance of parade participants along the way. Line op has been set. First participant to start will be Siwa Nataraja dance by Indonesian Art Institute along with traditional drumb band Adi Merdangga. Behind them will be Jembrana, Karangasem, Buleleng, SOEI TV Japan, East Lampung, Denpasar, Tabanan, marching band of Udayana Univerity, Central Lombok, Badung, Bangli, West Kalimantan, East Java, Klungkung, and Gianyar.

Three stages have been erected in front of Banjar Kayumanis Kaja, Banjar Kelandis, and Banjar Kedaton.