Bangli, Peace and Harmony

Bangli Regency Will Give their Best Performance

Bangli Regency will perform their best show in the 25th Bali Arts Festival (Pesta Kesenian Bali/PKB) 2003. The preparations have been complete for a couple of months. There will be many exciting activities during the 25th PKB. On May 10, at the same time as the 799th anniversary ceremony of Bangli City, there was a trial run, for the Opening Parade Procession, Gong Kebyar Festival, and many other performances.

2nd Vice Organizer of PKB of Bangli Regency, Drs. Wayan Warta Megantara explained, the seriousness of Bangli Regency in following PKB’s events is not only based on wanting to win, but more importantly on how to enlighten society in the arts and to develop the quality of art itself. According to Megantara, who officiates daily as Head of the Culture & Tourism Department of Bangli Regency, the strong influence of foreign culture could destroy Bali’s arts and culture. “We make a serious effort to conserve the arts source that grow and develop in our society, which is based and reflects the local culture,” he said. He gave the example of the Joged dance, which is now often complained of as too erotic.
Nengah Darsana, the choreographer of “Dalem Balingkang” dance group agreed. This young artisan of Demulih Village expressed that each region should keep hold of their characteristics. Every year The Bali Arts Festival gives a great contribution to arts and cultural creation in society.

Bangli Participates in all events.
Bangli Regency follows the 25th PKB’s event, where there will be many competitions, cavalcades, and a festival, and even a parade. According to Anak Agung Ketut Rai, one of the PKB’s Committee, Bangli Regency will participate in the Arja dance drama performance (Apuan Village), Topeng Panca (Gita Dewata Tambahan Kelod Studio), Drama Gong (Sancaya Dwipa), Wayang Kulit (Banjar Tambahan Bukit), Creation Dance (Kepucuk Demulih Studio), Classical Dancec (Pulo Cendani Wismakarma, Banjar Selat Peken), Contemporary Dance (Pucuk Bang Studio), Gong Gede (Pekraman Kubu Village).
In the Opening Parade, Bangli Regency will perform Jerimpen, Mapeed Payas Penganten, Barong Macan, Barong Ket, Gamelan Kembang Girang, “Dalem Balingkang” dance fragment, and sculpture (visualization) of Dalem Balingkang.
The Competition and Festival that will follow are a fashion competition, a cooking competition, a floral arrangement competition, Adult Gong Kebyar competition (Banjar Sala-Abuan), and Children Gong Kebyar competition (SLTPN 1 Bangli). Bangli Regency also follows the parade activity such as a traditional children’s game parade, Joged Bungbung parade, and Ngelawang Agung.

Drama Gong Sancaya Dwipa; Expected by the Audience
One of the most looked forward to performances of Bangli Regency is the “Petruk and Dolar” Show in Drama Gong Sancaya Dwipa. According to Anak Agung Ketut Rai, the jester figure (Punakawan), “Petruk-Dolar” always succeeds to enliven the audience of every PKB and make them gerrrr (non-stop laughing) and forget their worries. Wait and see the ambassadors’ performance of Bangli Regency in the 25th PKB.
(BTN/030)