The 47th Bali Arts Festival Opens, Calls For Natural And Cultural Harmoni

JAKARTA - The Balinese Arts Festival (PKB) is not just an art celebration, but a tangible manifestation of the spirit of cultural preservation and harmony of life. In this 47th year, PKB raised the theme Jahat Kerthi: Lokahita Samudaya which illustrates the importance of maintaining the balance of the universe between humans, nature, and spiritual values' in an inseparable unity.

Representing the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon officially opened the event at Taman Werdhi Budaya Art Center, Denpasar, on Saturday, June 21.

In his speech, he emphasized that cultural heritage such as PKB must continue to be cared for as a unifying force for the nation as well as a national identity.

"This is not only an annual agenda, but an important milestone in the journey of advancing culture in the country. Since it was first held in 1979, the Bali Arts Festival has become proof of Bali's consistency in maintaining its cultural ties," said Fadli.

He also highlighted the importance of cross-cultural activities such as the Bali World Culture Celebration (BWCC), which opens space for art exchange and understanding across nations. According to him, culture is a universal language that is able to bridge differences and strengthen global brotherhood.

The Governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster, in his report revealed that the implementation of PKB is a concrete form of the spirit of Balinese society to preserve culture in its entirety. "We not only protect legacy, but also continue to encourage creativity and regeneration through collaboration between local artists and culturalists," he said.

The opening of the 47th PKB was marked by the appearance of the Pendet dance, which was full of meaning, accompanied by traditional music from ISI Bali. This atmosphere full of spirituality is equipped with a procession of beating a benchmark by Minister Fadli Zon as a symbol of the start of a series of events.

On that occasion, Fadli also expressed hope that every region in Indonesia could develop a similar festival, which was born from their own wealth and local wisdom. I hope this event will not only be the pride of Bali, but also inspiration for other regions to explore their cultural potential independently," he said.

The 47th PKB series of activities that lasted until July 19, 2025 involved various types of performances and artistic activities, ranging from Ped Aya (cultural parades), Rakasadana (art performances), Utsawa (parades), Wimbakara (competitions), to Widyatula (cultural heritage). There are also Kriyaloka (work workshops), Kandarupa (visual performances), to Adi Selanka Nugraha (appreciation for artists).

The opening ceremony was attended by the ranks of the Bali regional government, representatives of friendly countries, as well as artists and cultural actors from various directions. At the end of his speech, Fadli thanked all parties involved in the implementation of the PKB, while affirming that this event was a reflection room as well as a momentum to strengthen the identity of Balinese culture in the midst of the current globalization that continues to flow.