Ogoh-Ogoh Competition, part of the Bhandana Bhuhkala Festival organized by Badung Regency, officially concluded on Sunday, March 16, 2025.
During the closing ceremony, Regent Wayan Adi Arnawa, accompanied by Deputy Regent Bagus Alit Sucipta, highlighted the government’s dedication to preserving cultural heritage while fostering creative expression among the youth
“In addition to the prizes prepared by the Department of Culture, I will also offer the first, second, and third-place winners the opportunity to apply for grants this year. The Badung Regency Government will continue to support the creativity of our youth in preserving our culture,” said the Regent Arnawa as quoted from BaliPost.
Further, the Head of the Department of Culture of Badung explained that the winners of the competition will be trained to represent Badung Regency at the Jantra Tradisi Bali event at the Provincial level in 2025.
The Jantra Tradisi Bali Cultural Week of Badung Regency 2025 took place from March 14 to 17, 2025, at the Mangupraja Mandala Field, Puspem Badung.
The Ogoh-Ogoh competition in Badung Regency was conducted in two stages: the first stage (March 3-7, 2025) involved evaluations in 7 zones of Badung Regency, where each zone selected the top three Ogoh-Ogoh, and the second stage (March 15-16, 2025) featured the 21 best Ogoh-Ogoh from the seven zones competing in the final to determine the first-place winner.
Badung Supports Youth Creativity
With full support from the Badung Regency Government and high community enthusiasm, it is hoped that this event will serve as a platform to strengthen cultural identity and a means of regenerating art and traditions in Badung.
This event is not just an art competition but also a strategic moment in maintaining the sustainability of Balinese culture in the modern era.
The Ogoh-Ogoh competition held at the Giri Nata Mandala Cultural Hall, Puspem Badung, was intense, with all the performances being highly rated.
However, the juries selected by the Department of Culture of Badung Regency ultimately determined the best Ogoh-Ogoh, which would receive prize money and certificates of appreciation.
This competition selected first, second, and third place winners, as well as honorable mentions for the top 21 Ogoh-Ogoh that were previously evaluated in the seven zones.
Preservation of Balinese Culture
Deputy Regent of Badung, Bagus Alit Sucipta, who closed the event, expressed his pride in the creativity of the youth in Badung. He acknowledged that the quality of all the performances was extraordinary, making it difficult for the jurors to determine the winners.
“When looking at the dance choreography, gamelan balaganjur, and the Ogoh-Ogoh, everything is truly exceptional. The jurors found it difficult to choose the winners because the quality was even across the board,” said Gus Bota.
Nevertheless, he encouraged participants who did not win to not be discouraged, as the Ogoh-Ogoh competition will continue to be held annually ahead of the Nyepi celebration.
According to Tribunbali, “This event will be held regularly every year. We have received complaints regarding tents and other matters, and this will serve as an evaluation for next year. We hope that the selected venue will also be more representative,” he added.
On the same occasion, he stated that the winners would receive prize money, certificates, and personal assistance for the Ogoh-Ogoh that triumphed in the Bhandana Bhuhkala Festival this year.