The Bali Provincial Department of Culture has officially selected 21 art groups, studios, communities, and foundations to perform at the 47th Bali Arts Festival or Pesta Kesenian Bali (PKB) in 2025. These groups were carefully curated by a panel of experts to ensure they align with the festival’s commitment to preserving and promoting Bali’s rich artistic heritage.
Professor Dr. I Gede Arya Sugiartha, Head of the Bali Provincial Department of Culture, announced that each selected group would receive a cultural grant of IDR 35 million to support their artistic preparation. He emphasized that all performances should adhere to this year’s central theme: Jagat Kerthi: Lokahita Samudaya (Universal Harmony for Collective Welfare). Speaking at a coordination meeting on Monday, March 16, he encouraged the public to actively support the festival as a platform for cultural preservation and innovation.
The Bali Arts Festival 2025 will take place from June 21 to July 19 at the Bali Provincial Art Center, featuring a diverse program including:
- Peed Aya (Opening Parade)
- Rekasadana (Art Performances)
- Utsawa (Art Parade)
- Wimbakara (Competitions)
- Kriyaloka (Workshops)
- Kandarupa (Exhibitions)
- Widyatula (Cultural Seminars)
- Adi Sewaka Nugraha (Lifetime Achievement Awards for Artists)
- Jantra Tradisi Bali (Traditional Arts Celebration)
- Bali World Culture Celebration (BWCC), an international cultural exchange event
Professor Dr. I Made Bandem, a distinguished curator of PKB 2025, stressed the importance of preserving traditional artistic structures and narratives. He urged participating artists to stay true to the fundamental principles of Balinese performing arts while also adapting to contemporary creative expressions.
He emphasized that sacred performances should not be staged in public venues like the Bali Art Center unless they have been adapted into a non-ritualistic format. “Classical Balinese art forms such as Gambuh, Topeng, and Wayang have strict traditional guidelines. These must be upheld to maintain their authenticity,” he stated. He also suggested that performances should incorporate local wisdom and moral teachings in line with the Jagat Kerthi theme.
Additionally, he highlighted the importance of structuring performances properly, ensuring that traditional Balinese dramas like Gambuh and Arja maintain their essential storytelling elements—ranging from historical narratives and battle scenes to emotional and mystical moments. He encouraged artists to revive lesser-known characters, such as Patih Pengrancab in Arja, and to maintain classical movements and vocal techniques in Wayang Wong and Gambuh performances.
“The vocal artistry of past Balinese performers was extraordinary, and it should remain a defining feature of our traditional arts,” he concluded.
With these guiding principles, PKB 2025 aims to showcase performances that balance cultural authenticity with creative evolution, ensuring that Balinese heritage remains vibrant and relevant for future generations. (BT)
