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Bali
: The Inspiration
Bali
is a province of the Indonesian Republic.
It has a population of over 3 million people,
of which the large majority is of the Hindu
religion. Since the beginning of its known
history, Bali had become a destination for
spiritual quests. The flora and fauna in
tropical Bali provides the most beautiful
scenery, which has inspired its people to
take care of its natural resources. The
harmonious relationship between nature,
culture and human activities has made Bali
a very special place. This special feature
of Bali has attracted the attention of artists,
cultural observers, and travelers from many
different countries. When Bali came into
contact with the other islands and the wider
world, especially with the Netherlands,
the island became renowned among connoisseurs
of eastern culture.
 Bali
has received many influences from foreign
cultures. This could lead to the decline
of its own indigenous culture if the challenge
is not faced with a determined mind. The
people who have come to love the island,
especially foreigners, have felt changes
in the attitudes of the Balinese toward
the environment and without doubt, changes
will continue to take place. Together, the
people of Bali have been making efforts
to sustain and further develop their understanding
of the values of their history and culture
while, at the same time, keeping up with
the progress of modern time and technology
in order to protect its taksu (spiritual
charisma). In written history, it is clear
that Bali became the final crystallization
of the development and flourishing of Java’s
ancient Majapahit culture. The harmonious
integration between the local traditions
of Bali with Javanese Majapahit culture,
with its Hindu nuances, gave birth to the
Hindu culture in Bali, which has a uniqueness
of its own. Today, Bali’s charisma
is not only reflected in its economic development,
but in its ability to invoke spiritual revelation.
Bali means inspiration, therefore we can
truly say: Bali, The Inspiration. (BTN/Diparda
Bali)
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