Bali Governor Allows Ogoh-ogoh Parading Ahead Of Nyepi

Governor of Bali Wayan Koster/DOK BALI PROVINCE

DENPASAR - Bali Governor Wayan Koster allowed the ogoh-ogoh parade (nyomya) in the banjar (hamlet) area on Pengrupukan night or the day before the Nyepi of the Saka New Year 1944.

"I, as the Governor of Bali, together with the Bali Province Traditional Village Council, have agreed to the wishes conveyed through the aspirations of the Yowana MDA provinces, regencies/cities throughout Bali," said Koster in a written statement, Wednesday, February 16.

Koster gave this support directly when he received the Pasikian Yowana Traditional Village Council (MDA) in provinces, districts/cities throughout Bali and artists at the Jayasabha Office House, Denpasar.

He admitted that he had coordinated and communicated with the Bandesa Agung and the Penarikan Agung Traditional Village Council (MDA) of the Province of Bali, which had previously issued a letter of confirmation that the ogoh-ogoh parade during Pangrupukan on March 2, 2022 was not held.

"I ask to continue (ogoh-ogoh) being made until it is finished, until it is finished. Don't stop before March 2, 2022 (when Pangrupukan-ed)," he said.

According to him, the young generation throughout Bali need not hesitate anymore. "So Mrs. ogoh-ogoh can be held in a banjar wewidangan (region) with a maximum of 25 participants," he said.

In addition, the ogoh-ogoh made must be environmentally friendly (without plastic and styrofoam materials) and carried out with the discipline of the COVID-19 health protocol.

"I really appreciate and appreciate the artistic, innovative, creative works of the yowana (young generation). We are part of building the character and spirit of art and culture in the ogoh-ogoh products that are created," he said.

Like the previous year, in 2022 an assessment of the ogoh-ogoh works will also be carried out and the results of this assessment will be used as the basis for awarding prizes.

At the sub-district level, the three best ogoh-ogoh works will be awarded a prize of IDR 5 million each.

Then at the district/city level, for the first rank is given a prize of Rp. 50 million, the second rank is given a prize of Rp. 35 million, and the third place is given a prize of Rp. 25 million, in all districts/cities in Bali.

"The total prize pool is almost Rp. 1.9 billion. This will be processed by a team of judges who go down to each banjar to evaluate the work of ogoh-ogoh. What is judged is not the competition, but works based on creations and innovations," he said.

Pasikian Yowana MDA provinces, regencies/cities throughout Bali and the artists in their aspirations read by Dewa Ardita expressed their gratitude to the Governor of Bali who has supported the activities of "nyomya" ogoh-ogoh.

For the support of the Governor of Bali for the implementation of "nyomya" ogoh-ogoh, it becomes a good momentum, to restore the spirit of the younger generation in the arts with strict COVID-19 health protocols.