Architect Yoka Sara
Concept Harmonization

Artistry inherited from his family makes this man, whose complete name is: Anak Agung Yoka Sara, profoundly fall in love with the art domain, particularly architecture. Many of his intellectual works are not only favoured by the local community, but also people from outside Bali. Even, he once achieved the BCI Asia & Schott Design Award for architecture with glass on a glass creation used in his design at The Sungai Villas & Spa at Prerenan, Bali.
Ultimately, one of his thinking, probably the only one in Bali, is visualized at his home hamlet, Gerenceng, Denpasar. "As a matter of fact, in every single work of mine, I depart from a concept, namely harmonization. Harmony in each of those works is based on the tenet of Hinduism namely the Tri Hita Karana (harmonious relationship amongst the God, human and nature)," reveals the man born in 1965.
Though inspired by intense philosophy of the Balinese people, his architectural works more emphasizes on intermix of traditional and modern architectural styles. "I put more significance on the concept of Tri Hita Karana in terms of its building philosophy and not merely on its architecture," he utters.
According to him, the building of the bale banjar he makes is focused on simple architecture, yet it remains to reflect the unity of its community. "In my opinion, the architectural style of buildings at every region is different. In Denpasar, its architectural style is simpler and to the point. It is different from that in Gianyar having more reliefs," he explains.
Each section of the bale banjar has dissimilar meaning and philosophy. Its three-tiered roof conveys the three worlds in accordance with the teaching of Hindu comprising the bhur, bwah and swah loka. The existence of menur on the top represents the Lord Shiva who will bestow his sacred light at all times to devotees. Four main pillars stand sturdily as the buffer reflecting four sections existing at Gerenceng hamlet that made coalesced into an organization called banjar.
"On this work, I put emphasis on the combination of traditional and modern architecture. So, on the leading building of Gerenceng hamlet lies a holy sanctum, northern pavilion and rice granary that almost entering the age of 100 years are not changed deliberately. We just made some restorations on several damaged sections. This reflects that we stay to preserve the works of our predecessors," he affirms.
Also added, in his current work, he would like to combine the works of previous generation with that of the current ones. It’s so important that young generation can not only see the works of modern architecture but also observe the works of their predecessors. (BTN/rai)

Anthropologist Wayan Geriya
Cultural Tourism

Amongst the 565 ethnical groups all over the world, the Bali community is one of the remarkably strong ones with its harmonic values. Harmonic values are identity and cultural capital that are essential within the life of the community," utters Wayan Geriya on a dialogue on tourism in Denpasar not long ago.
According to him, the concept of cultural tourism is the identity of Bali tourism. "Cultural tourism is one of the kinds of tourism in which its development is supported by cultural factors. The culture here refers to Balinese culture that is inspired by Hinduism," says this anthropologist.
He also adds that there are two groups of tourism businesspeople, namely the capitalist and community-based. "The first group implements the loss-profit orientation intended to reach maximum profit. This orientation prompts them to undertake commercialization, commoditization and exploitation practice on tourism. In the meantime, the second group prefers to put orientation on the preservation, conservation, national integrity and peace focused on the harmony of Bali," he explains.
In its development, according to Geriya, the tourism of Bali within the last five years undergoes stagnation, sluggishness and some indication on degradation. "The core of its problem lies on the misunderstanding between cultural tourism and tourist culture," he says.
Since the strengthening of commodity and commercialization stream of tourism in Bali such as the selling of land of Bali; water, coastal, gorge and mountain resources exploitation, the ethical crises engulfs. This ethical crisis sweeps over the three leading pillars, namely the environmental ethic, human ethic and moral as well as economical ethic.
The concept of cultural tourism ethic is now only made into just a discourse and this crisis gradually leads to disharmony as the expansion of anarchy, violent conflict, deviation, unemployment and the sustainable tourism progressively threatened.
On that account, Griya expects that all parties should synergize one another in solving this problem. "Sluggish condition of the current tourism is a momentum to totally introspect and contemplate, understand the truth of cultural tourism as well as realize the misunderstanding that has been carried out so it can be improved systematically."
Further, he also adds that tourism of Bali remains to have several superiorities to revive by means of the image, capital (nature, economy, human resources, social, spiritual culture) and confidence of Bali itself, Indonesia and the world. (BTN/rai)

Svetlana Kuznetsova
Three Times Champion

Her accomplishment in the constellation of world’s tennis is no more a surprise. After a row of marvelous performances she achieved to be in the centre spot and was the highlight as well. The name of this white-skinned and sharp-nosed tennis player is Svetlana Kuznetsova. This female tennis player from Russia was re-welcomed in Bali to compete for the champion title which she lost last year. Her absence from the international women tennis tournament in Bali (2005) was caused by the back injury she suffered. This condition made her disappointed.
Because of that injury, the champion of Wismilak International 2002 and 2004 could not defend the title of US Open that she won in 2004. "I felt to have lost my rhythm and self-confidence. My physician recommended an operation to cure my shoulder as I come up against great problem with my back before the US Open," she revealed.
Offensive play with speed and power strokes from the baseline is the characteristic technique applied by this 21-year old tennis player. The current performance in Bali shown by the world’s fifth rank of WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) was revived by presenting the mature of technique, physical and mental readiness.
According to Sveta, her popular nickname, she now plays by means of half energy that she feels is more effective. "I have endeavoured and greatly enjoyed the routines within life. I’m delighted to play out there as playing tennis and becoming a professional athlete is indeed a pleasure," she revealed.
The triumph of Sveta, winning the title of champion for the third time, this international tournament indicated her ongoing hard work and perseverance. (BTN/*/Rai)