Bart and I really love to go to a big cultural or sports event as an photography occasion for him, and as a cultural experience for me. Bali is not only about hang out with friends and icy cold beers (although it’s also very nice!), sun bathing on the white sand beach. Ceremony such as ‘Ngaben‘ (Balinese cremation) is very often one of the main tourist attraction, specially when a royal family died, it must be HUGE!.
But one special thing about watching the parade of Pesta Kesenian Bali or Bali Arts Festival Opening is you got to witness the BEAUTY of Balinese dance, costume and musical performance…from all the regency of the island. It’s soo.. gorgeously colorful! and I never stop wowwing everytime I see this dance group performing. Balinese people are surely one of the biggest ethnic group in Indonesia who still pride themselves preserving their traditional culture, ie. dance, music, costume, food.
My first Bali Arts Festival parade was in 2003, it was at Renon Park in Denpasar, the opening ceremony is always inaugurated by our President ( and I got to wave to my President! 😀 ).
I used to be a balinese dancer for 6 years when I was a little kid, my mom put me into this dance course in Bandung, so I understand the rhythm of Balinese Gamelan-the traditional instrument, I know the moves, and this wowwing just never stop as each regency of Bali displays their performance.
This year, of 2009, they changed the venue for the Opening Ceremony Puputan Park,Denpasar which I think a little bit too small and hectic to have a big parade with thousand of spectators on that day. Anyway, I had some troubles choosing the best pictures Bart took, because each photo has its own story and they’re just all beautiful and colorful!
Only this year, as well, I decided to see some cultural performance during this full month of event, at the Art Center in Denpasar, with my two new friends from Austin,Texas who are my blog readers – Read more about this interesting friendship on my next blog post here !
Francisco, Brian, Bart and me found this funny graffiti wall next to the car park lot at Art Center.
We were hoping to see real Bali cultural shows, too bad when we got there, it seemed to me more like a bazaar or day market. Food stalls with western food, where I was actually looking for a traditional balinese dish (pizza,pop corn,chicken nugget??? at a Bali cultural event!!??! hmm..), Spongebob, Dora Emon, Hello Kitty balloon vendor, a long hall of booths that only sell : silver,jewelry, shoes and Kebaya/traditional costume-more like a boutique to me. Hmmm…I think they’re still struggling from bringing this event into a cultural and traditional show case to the world as it is more like commercial trade show with ‘Art Festival’ make up in the label.. 🙁
But I’m glad that we saw this one show called Mask Dance – Drama Parade, although we didn’t see the whole show, as the sunset on 66 beach were waiting for us 😉
Anyway, I will keep coming to Bali Arts Festival, and will invite you to come specially on the opening ceremony day.And hey!you can still come now, click here to view the schedule.
Related posts :
– What these 2 Texas guy doing in Bali?
– 5 Tips to enjoy Bali not as a tourist
– Nyepi day – Like & Dislike
Nice post! Now even more looking forward to visit Bali again… Can’t wait… Would be great to visit the Festival, guess I should come earlier next time 🙂
wow, fantastic new blog post, well-written and good use of the Catapult’s pictures
wahh.. bali, udah kaya gimana ya…
lama gak ke sana ….
makasih udah mampir mbak..
muhamaze’s last blog post..perilaku bunglon
I saw that shaolin kids, they were awesome! funny ..!! 🙂
And I love the dance show .. enjoyed every moment of it..especially the gong player..its an amazing sound they produced :))
Thanks for posting this article Bee!
Great pics! Had such a great time hanging w ya crazy bali kidz!!! Still can’t get over the fish we had later that night…
@Fransisco : Mr Diocares! Muchas gracias for your comment here! yes, bart & I are the crazy bali kids, and stink like a fish like you and PoinyPoin!
Such amazing pics — thanks for these. Am digging your blog. Can’t wait to make it to Bali. We’re still a couple of years away from our trip, but looking forward!
Daniel’s last blog post..Gary Arndt needs your help to get to Antarctica
@Daniel : Thanks for stopping by!Your blog is amazzing too! You and your wife are so admirable! And I have also added your blog to my Links section.
I’ll be waiting for your visit to Bali, for sure!! Read my other blog posts too, and tell me where do you want to go in Bali. Cheers!
dear sir/madam, i’m jayanta kumar oinam from imphal,manipur-india.our manipuri faces is like vietnamese or balinese. i would like to participate your “bali arts festival” 2010. sir/madam, i sincerely and humblely request you that please give me on this festival. our manipuri cultural is very famous in the world. our performance are traditional dances, drum dances and martial arts fighting. i am also fighter. i came to bali, djakarta and bandung in 2002 to performed martial arts fighting. and my last tour was sydney,melbourne and brisbane from 18nov2009 to 18feb2010 to performed martial arts fighting. sir/madam, please get me reply as soon as possible. i’m eagerly waiting for your good reply. sir/madam, please forgive me if i offend you. thanks a lot.
yours
jayanta kumar oinam
manager, pakhangba arts and cultural association
imphal,manipur-india
Dear Jayanta, first, deeply sorry for the late reply, it’s been crazy hectic here.
I’m sorry to let you know that I’m writing this blog post about Bali Arts Festival from spectator point of view, as I love coming this yearly cultural festival in Denpasar, so I’m not the right person for you to talk about joining the festival as a participant.
You may check out their official website for more info on participate, I personally don’t think it is possible, given the time given, the BAF is in a couple of weeks.
Good luck!
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