The Ministry of Tourism has recognized that the Bali Arts Festival (PKB) plays a significant role in driving the growth of local tourism and the regional economy.
During the opening ceremony of PKB 2025 in Bali on Saturday (June 21), Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa stated that the festival has strong potential to attract both domestic and international tourists while also stimulating the local economy.
According to a press release issued by the ministry in Jakarta on Monday, the economic turnover in Denpasar and surrounding areas during the month-long 2024 edition of the festival reached approximately IDR 192.3 billion. In addition, the accommodation occupancy rate around the event location increased by about two percent compared to regular days.
According to Antaranews, “This is a very positive outcome, as the impact is directly felt by the community,” said Ni Luh Puspa.
The Bali Arts Festival is a flagship cultural event that is consistently featured in the Ministry of Tourism’s Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) program. In 2025, PKB is held from June 21 to July 19, showcasing a wide array of artistic and cultural performances involving around 20,000 artists.
This year’s festival also features international artists through the Bali World Culture Celebration (BWCC), making it a global cultural showcase.
The Deputy Minister hopes that PKB can inspire other regions to host similar cultural and artistic events. “Support from the central government, local authorities, and the public is essential to enable artists to showcase their creativity,” she added.
Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized that Bali has successfully maintained a well-preserved cultural ecosystem and could serve as a model for other regions.
According to RRI, “Bali’s art and cultural environment is truly well-maintained. Hopefully, it continues and becomes an inspiration for the rest of Indonesia,” he said in a statement on Sunday (June 22, 2025).
Representing President Prabowo Subianto, who was on an overseas working visit, Fadli attended the 47th PKB opening ceremony and expressed appreciation for the festival’s longevity, which has showcased Bali’s rich traditions across all its districts and cities for 47 consecutive years.
At the Peed Aya cultural parade opening, the Minister symbolically struck the kulkul (wooden bell), accompanied by Deputy Minister Ni Luh Puspa, Bali Governor I Wayan Koster, Deputy Governor I Nyoman Giri Prasta, and Bali’s House Speaker Dewa Made Mahayadnya.
The ceremony featured traditional gamelan performances such as Gong Gede, Semar Pegulingan, and Gong Guwung Gumi, accompanying the opening act titled Mudra Citta Siwa Nataraja by the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Bali. This performance depicted the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva as a force of universal order and harmony.
Fadli praised the Peed Aya parade as an integral part of the festival. “This is an extraordinary event. The performance by ISI Bali showcased the finest expressions of culture,” he remarked.
The parade displayed thematic art presentations from nine districts and cities across Bali, each highlighting its unique cultural richness. Karangasem presented Jempana Masolah, Jembrana Jimbarwana, Buleleng Agra Bhuwana Raksa, Bangli Posa Purwa Sancaya, Klungkung Manunggaling Kaula Gusti, and Tabanan shared the story of Subak, Bali’s traditional irrigation system.
Meanwhile, Gianyar reflected Ubud’s rich history of cultural assimilation, Denpasar performed Ngerebong, and the event closed with Badung’s symbolic portrayal of the keris (traditional dagger) as a representation of spiritual power and harmony.
Fadli also conveyed greetings from President Prabowo, who expressed hope to attend the 48th Bali Arts Festival in person next year.
Sources: RRI, Antaranews.