Gianyar District’s Celebration of Bali’s Cultural Riches Back for 2-Day Event

Bali, Indonesia - After a nearly two-year hiatus due to the 2009 general elections, Gianyar district is to host Gempita Gianyar 3, a celebration of Bali’s arts and varied cultures, for two days in Ubud subdistrict starting tonight.

All of Gianyar’s seven sub­districts are participating in the annual event, showcasing their distinctive and unique arts and cultures.

The festival aims to preserve local wisdom and cultures despite the ever-changing face of Bali and prepare the young generations to inherit them all.

Ubud, known as the heart of Bali, is home to great art maestros who are internationally acclaimed yet rarely recognized in their own country.

“Gempita Gianyar is designed with great consideration of all aspects in preserving Balinese culture,” said Marayuna A Nasution, of the Sekar Saji Nusantara, a foundation that promotes culture and heritage.

“Thus the items in the festival vary and include all elements ranging from dance to music and fashion and even an emphasis on regeneration in preserving traditional art and culture.”

At the same time, Gempita Gianyar 3 is being held to celebrate Ubud’s achievement of being named the best city in Asia earlier this year by the US-based travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler.

Gempita Gianyar 3 is expected to draw in more than 5,000 art and culture enthusiasts from Indonesia and beyond.

A cultural presentation titled “Tri Hita Karana” will mark the opening of the festival that will be held at the Astina Ubud open field. It is a presentation of traditional Balinese music and dance.

Tri Hita Karana, or the three paths to prosperity, is a Balinese Hinduism life philosophy.

“Tri Hita Karana is about humans nurturing a harmonious relationship with the gods, with nature and with other human beings,” said Budjana, the show’s musical director.

The festival’s second day will present the Ubud Street Bash, a fashion and music parade showing off the works of 22 designers.

Using tenun and songket, Balinese woven material, as their main element, the designs are said to reflect colorful and glamorous styles while holding on to traditional values.

The Peliatan Royal Heritage Dinner will officially end the Gempita Gianyar festival. This dinner in the style of ancient nobility will be attended by Gianyar and Balinese officials, public figures, artists and other guests.

Despite simple tableware reflecting pure Balinese tradition, the dinner will be elegantly served, organizers say.

The Youth Art Camp that kicked off on Wednesday and will wind up on Sunday is another important element in the festival.

The art workshop aims to give teenagers a firsthand experience of Balinese art, culture and tradition during the school holidays, under the watchful guidance of the maestros.

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com
Picture: http://www.baliaround.com

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