• Home
• Insight

Bali Arts Festival 2023. Megawati: Development of Balinese Culture Don't Lose Its Spirit

• 18 Juni 2023
• Insight
• Denpasar

DENPASAR, NETIZENBALI.com - The 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, advised that traditional arts be explored and revived so that the culture is sustainable. It is hoped that the development of cultural arts will not lose the elements that animate it.

The annual celebration of arts and culture in Bali, known as the Bali Arts Festival, is being held for the 45th time. Prior to opening the art procession that marked the 45th anniversary of the Bali Arts Festival on Sunday (18/6/2023), the 5th President of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, reminded that all creative works of art and culture should be protected by copyright, and the development of arts and culture should not lose its essence.

The 45th Balinese Arts Festival (PKB) art parade or peed aya was centered around the Bajra Sandhi Bali People's Struggle Monument Square, Niti Mandala Renon, Denpasar City, Sunday (18/6/2023) . The parade was attended by art delegations from all regencies and cities in Bali as well as from the Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) Denpasar. The art parade (peed aya) marked the start of the PKB series, which is scheduled to last until Sunday (16/7/2023).

The PKB Parade 2023 was opened by the 5th President of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri. Before inaugurating the parade by striking a small gong, Megawati conveyed several messages related to the art and culture of the archipelago, including Balinese art. The message from the Chairperson of the Ideology Pancasila Development Agency (BPIP) and the Chairperson of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) included the Bali Arts Festival (PKB) as a manifestation of Bali's determination and spirit to preserve art and culture.

"In the Trisakti concept of Bung Karno, it is stated that one's personality is rooted in culture," said Megawati.

Megawati also conveyed that culture is rooted in a religious community, which has a sense of humanity and prioritizes unity and harmony. This is considered a reflection of the consultative and cooperative nature of Pancasila.

"Bali must definitely adhere to Pancasila, which highly respects humanity and mutual cooperation. Now, is it still the same as before or has it changed?" Megawati stated in her welcoming speech.

The Bali Arts Festival (PKB), which Megawati has deemed as the largest art and culture event in Bali, is expected to preserve and revive traditional arts that are almost extinct.

Megawati also urged the government and society in Bali to protect cultural arts, including through research, innovation, and the registration of intellectual property rights. Megawati also reminded society, especially the young generation in Indonesia, to continue to appreciate and enjoy the works of Nusantara's cultural arts.

Ocean breeding

The 45th National Cultural Week (PKB) this year adopts the theme "Segara Kerthi, Prabhaneka Sandhi", which signifies the reverence of the sea as the source of prosperity and the origin of civilization. In his speech prior to the opening of the PKB 2023 art parade on Sunday (18/6/2023), Bali Governor Wayan Koster stated that all activities, including performances, competitions, parades, exhibitions, and processions in the PKB 2023 will reflect the theme of PKB 2023.

Governor Koster declared that with the vision of Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali towards a new era of Bali, the Bali government has made culture the compass for development, from upstream to downstream. This culture-based development in Bali is directed towards realizing the welfare of the Balinese community.

The procession of the National Awakening Party (PKB) in 2023 on Sunday (18/6/2023) was also attended by three ministers, namely the Minister of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) M Basuki Hadimuljono, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Parekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, and the Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati. Megawati was accompanied by her son, M Prananda Prabowo.

In the PKB 2023 art parade (peed aya), Sunday (18/6/2023), the contingent of parade participants came from all regions in Bali and from ISI Denpasar artists. Each contingent displays the results of art work and cultural characteristics of the local area. The parade began with performances from the ISI Denpasar contingent.

The Head of the Bali Province Cultural Office, I Gede Arya Sugiartha, stated that the performance of the art parade participants showcased the innovation and diversity of traditional arts in Bali. After the implementation of the PKB 2023 art parade, Arya expressed appreciation for the messages and criticisms conveyed by Megawati before opening the PKB 2023 art parade.

"The direction of Mother Megawati is very good. Mother Megawati has extraordinary attention in the cultural field. And, her support for Balinese culture is very clear," said Arya.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, stated that in her welcoming speech, Megawati delivered a clear message that Indonesian art and culture must be preserved and conserved as it reflects the nation's identity. Sandiaga, when interviewed by journalists after the 2023 Bali Arts Festival parade, highlighted that the Bali Arts Festival is also an opportunity to showcase domestic creative economy products. (NB/ Kompas.id)