Tribun Bali and Bali Post are reporting on the opening of the 2022 Bali Cultural Grand Assembly on Saturday by Governor Wayan Koster, who was accompanied by the Chairperson of the Sabha Prajuru Bali Cultural Council, Prof. Dr. Komang Sudirga, S.Sn., M.Hum.
In his remarks, Governor Koster reinforced strengthening and promoting Balinese culture. “Various elements exist in Balinese culture, starting from customs, traditions, arts, and local wisdom which are found in 8-Regencies and one City, with their uniqueness which is based on traditional villages.”
“So, this is what all of us in Bali must really become aware of, starting from the people and leaders in Bali who must understand that culture is Bali ‘s main strength and becomes the order of life for Krama Bali which integrates with customs, art, local wisdom, and religious life.”
The Governor invited leaders and the community to work together to take care of Balinese culture, with a strong and selective commitment so that it continues to survive from era to era and from generation to generation. “Because culture is a source of life values that build politeness, politeness, ethics and character. Then culture is also able to produce works of dance, gamelan, music, sculpture, to painting, and culture has also proven to develop the people’s economy,” he said, according to Bali Post.
He spoke about how the Cultural Council will record all the assets of Balinese culture in the Bali Cultural Map, so that ancient arts that have disappeared can be revived. To this end, “the Cultural Council, the Cultural Office together with ISI Denpasar, and other tertiary institutions are collaborating with all traditional villages to maintain the quality, uniqueness, and superiority of Balinese culture so that it is well maintained,” he explained.
In recent years, use of traditional Balinese script has been reintroduced and is now being taught in schools. In addition, use of traditional Balinese clothing is also being encouraged every Thursday, Full Moon, Tilem, and on local government anniversaries, say Bali Post.
Ending his remarks, Koster asked the Bali Cultural Council together with ISI Denpasar to:
1) Take inventory of all the potentials of Balinese culture in traditional villages, Puri and Griya;
2) Repair any damaged cultural areas;
3) Encourage the innovation of works of art to be displayed in certain events;
4) Enforce the Standardization of Art Studios to qualify for display at National and
International Meetings, Abroad, and in Hotels/ Restaurants; and
5) Create a Supervisory Team for the Implementation of Art Studio Standards to perform at National and International Meetings, Abroad, and at Hotels/ Restaurants.
He commented by saying “I saw at hotels, the way of presenting Balinese cultural arts was less dignified. For example, musicians and gamelan players were placed below, while the stage was well made, so it really demeaned Balinese cultural arts. Then the standard of honor for the artists must also be considered, don’t give it cheap. This includes transportation, which must be of good quality. Don’t let percussion artists and dancers use trucks to go to the event stage.”
“I asked the Cultural Council to supervise hotels when there is a performance,” said Koster, because without the culture we can’t expect the tourism.
Sources: Tribun Bali, Bali Post
