 Om Swastyastu, Thanks to God that the Bali Arts Festival this year, 1998, is happening for the 20th time. The Bali Arts Festival which has been held annually since 1979, is to celebrate its twentieth anniversary in 1998. This important event-the result of co-operation between local artists and the provincial administration, is proof of the will of both Balinese society and the local administration to preserve local cultural treasures. As it enters its twentieth year, the Bali Arts Festival is starting to be understood as not only the property of Balinese people, but of Indonesian society as a whole as the event increasingly incorporates acts from all over the archipelago. The Festival involves various cultural missions from diverse parts of Indonesia and even from aboard, as this believed to further the preservation and creative development of the arts in Bali. More importantly, the Festival has done much to stimulate the cultural and artistic potential of Balinese living in rural areas. This is a role that will continue to be developed, as it is in rural areas that traditional cultural institutions (adat) plays a most integral role in the development of the arts and culture. Ideally, it is adat which should remain at the core of Balinese culture, thus defining its very existence-its past, present and future. The Bali Arts Festival is an expression of faith of the Balinese people and the provincial administration in the 1945 Constitution, particularly its emphasis on the importance of national culture. The resilience of local cultures is ever more important when faced with the forces of globalization, and only careful and strategic planning and action can stem its erosion. As well as Bali's contribution to upholding national cultural resilience, the Bali Arts Festival also serves as an opportunity to introduce an international audience to Indonesian arts and culture, in the interests of mutual understanding, dialogue and peace. The Balinese Arts reflect attributes which are central to the cultural environment in which they exist the mores and ethics, the world views and modes of thought of Balinese society. And it is at the annual Bali Arts Festival that these attributes are exhibited and performed. As well as traditional centuries-old art forms, modern arts which are contemporary in form but nevertheless strongly rooted in age-old Balinese traditions, have a place. Thus the Festival is maintained as a forum for both cultural preservation and development. The 1998 Bali Arts Festival, the theme of which is Wiyatita Smarthya Apti Upasama Nagara (Through dynamism and harmony we strive for the development of the nation's welfare), is to include the Calonarang as it primary event. Calonarang, is a popular Balinese folk tale, which is told via various form of art. It tells of the struggle between the opposing worldly forces Rwa Bhineda in the eternal search for balance, stability and harmony. The philosophy of the Rwa Bhineda continues to be integral to the world views of Modern Balinese. It is with great pleasure that we invite you to witness and enjoy the many and varied cultural treasures at the 1998 Bali Arts Festival. Om Santih, Santih, Santih Om
The Governor of Bali Ida Bagus Oka
|
