Bali Arts Festival ( id, Pesta Kesenian Bali) or PKB is an annual

arts festival An arts festival is a festival that can encompass a wide range of art forms including music, dance, film, fine art, literature, poetry and isn't solely focused on visual arts. Arts festivals may feature a mixed program that include music, lite ...

in Bali, Indonesia that celebrates, preserves and develops Balinese art and culture. First held in 1979 it has become Indonesia's longest-running arts festival. The month-long event begins with an inaugural parade usually held on the grounds of the Bajra Sandhi Monument and continues in its main venue, Bali Arts Center,

Denpasar Denpasar (; Balinese: ᬤᬾᬦ᭄ᬧᬲᬃ) is the capital of Bali and the main gateway to the island. The city is also a hub for other cities in the Lesser Sunda Islands. With the rapid growth of the tourism industry in Bali, Denpasar has e ...

. Traditional Balinese artists perform daily, as do performers from other parts of Indonesia and other countries. The festival also features competitions, seminars, and exhibitions of art, handicrafts and authentic

Balinese cuisine Balinese cuisine is a cuisine tradition of Balinese people from the volcanic island of Bali. Using a variety of spices, blended with the fresh vegetables, meat and fish. Part of Indonesian cuisine, it demonstrates indigenous traditions, as well ...

History

The festival was founded in 1979, during the governorship of

Ida Bagus Mantra Ida Bagus Mantra (8 May 1928 – 10 July 1995) was the Governor of Bali from 1978 to 1988. Ida Bagus Mantra replaced Ida Bagus Oka as governor of Bali. He later served as Indonesia's ambassador to India. He also served as a member of the House of ...

, to promote and sustain Balinese culture. The basic organizing regulation of the Bali Arts Festival is the "Regional Regulation of Bali Province Number 07 of 1986 concerning Bali Art Festival". The first Bali Arts Festival lasted approximately 2 months from June 20, 1979 to August 23, 1979. The festival attempts to preserve cultural arts by displaying classical art that is almost extinct and unknown to most in Balinese society. The Bali Arts Festival is intended to motivate people to explore, discover and display the artistic contributions of the Balinese community. The PKB offers a variety of unique and different themes each year. Coinciding with the 25th Bali Arts Party, Balinese art is also displayed at Bali Art Pests and the Jubillium of the Silver Arts Festival of Bali. In the history of the Bali Arts Party, it was typically inaugurated by high-ranking state officials. The PKB was first opened in 1979 by the late Ida Bagus Mantra, who at that time was the Governor of the Head of the Level I of Bali as well as the initiator of the PKB. The rest of the opening of the PKB was carried out by the Minister, Vice President, President and First Lady.

References

{{Portal, Indonesia Arts festivals in Indonesia Annual events in Indonesia Tourist attractions in Bali Festivals established in 1979 1979 establishments in Indonesia