The Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik has stated his readiness to open ”Bali’s Barong Festival” that will involve some of the best barong groups across Bali. “Minister of Culture and Tourism greatly supports this festival as it is inline with attempts in developing and maintaining cultures as culture is an important asset to develop tourism,” said the owner of a Balinese Classical Painting Museum, I Nyoman Gunarsa, recently.

This event is not aimed at weakening Bali Art Festival’s popularity, but to enliven cultural activity in Bali. The festival is expected to emerge into a national, or even an international scale event involving participants from other regions or countries. “This festival will be taking place from February 6 to 10, and we expect it to be done continuously at least once in two years,” he declared. The festival provides prize money amounting to some Rp.225 million in total, to best performers. If it is a success then there will be a possibility for the festival to be held at national or international level.
Almost all Indonesia’s regions have arts similar to barong in Bali, the same case is also true of other countries. For instance barong-sai of China now is increasingly popular in Bali, clear evidence that can be seen. Bali has various kinds of barong dances; each regency and municipality has their own typical way in dancing the barong. “Through this event, we expect the Balinese can broaden their horizons in Barong dance, which we then hope to make them more creative and open,” Gunarsa said. (BTN/BB/*)