Governor Koster Hopes BAF Can Preserve Nearly Forgotten Traditional Art

Denpasar, 10/6 (Atnews)– Bali"s annual art and cultural show through Bali Arts Festival (BAF) returns to be held by Bali province in the near future. The event, having always been eagerly awaited by the community, continues to receive improvements from the Bali provincial government adjusted to the vision and mission of ‘Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali’ through Universal Development Planning Pattern heading for the New Era of Bali.

This was revealed when the Governor of Bali Wayan Koster held a press conference with journalists related to the implementation of the BAF XLI in 2019, in the Wiswasabha Utama building of the Bali Governor’s Office in Denpasar, Monday (Jun. 10).

“Implementation of the BAF XLI is the first activity in my leadership period. In line with the vision and mission known as Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali, BAF is also an arena for the implementation of cultural preservation. We maintain the spirit and continuously strengthen our supreme cultural preservation efforts by adding enrichment in accordance with the times. So, the material of BAF to be featured is traditional culture rooted in the lives of Balinese people, so that this BAF becomes a medium for discovering, reviving and preserving Balinese indigenous art,” said Governor Koster.

This improvement effort is expected to be able to build awareness among Balinese people whose interest in cultural arts is increasingly diminishing. “This BAF is also a moment to increase people’s interest in building forgotten cultures and traditions, so as not to become extinct,” he added.

One of the efforts carried out by the Bali provincial government in maintaining BAF as a cultural event having high historical value marked with the revival of traditional village-based sebunan art tradition.

Governor Koster, accompanied by the Spokesperson of Bali provincial government AA Ngurah Oka Sutha Diana and Head of the Bali Regional Secretariat Gede Darmawa, also reiterated the idea on the leasing of exhibition stands for small and medium industry players at the BAF arena.

“Marketing of local products and Balinese food at this time will not be subject to rental fees anymore. We must prioritize the small and medium industry (IKM). As the name implies, the business and capital of IKM must be small, so the government must be present to provide support. We make BAF a medium to promote their products,” said Koster while explaining that the BAF performance is also expected to be able to support the Bali Governor Regulation No. 97/2018 concerning the Restriction of Plastic Waste Generation having been issued.

The governor hoped that BAF can be an eco-friendly event in line with Governor Regulation No. 97/2018. “So, all means of decoration and others should prioritize the use of natural materials such as bamboo, coconut, various flowers, and leaves or disposable Styrofoam,” said governor.

Journalists attending the press conference also expressed their appreciation to the ideas presented by Governor Koster. One of them was conveyed by journalist of Media Indonesia, Arnold Dhae, stating that Koster is one of Bali’s most creative governors. He hoped these efforts will continue to build Bali as a whole. (**/02)