Bali Arts Festival to Move Balinese Economy, President Jokowi Says
President Joko Jokowi Widodo on Saturday (11/6) at the Puputan Monument, Denpasar, Bali. opened the 38th Bali Arts Festival.
The 38th Bali Art Festival is not just a parade or art festival but also an activity with the cultural, educational and economic functions, especially for the Balinese people, President Jokowi stated.
I am glad to return to Bali, the Island of Gods. The momentum of the 38th Bali Art Festival has been awaited by the public and foreign tourists alike, the President said in his remarks.
I know many people wait for the festival to get started, thus I will say no more, President Jokowi said as marking the opening of the event.
Bali Arts Festival is an annual event as one of the main highlights in Balinese artists and culture bearers appreciation which people has always been waiting for, Governor of Bali I Made Mangku Pastika explained.
The presence of President Jokowi and First Lady give encouragement to the whole Balinese people especially the artists and culture bearers to continue their works and creativities in preserving the Adiluhung (supreme) culture, the Governor said in his remarks.
For the record, the 38th Bali Art Festival Parade is participated by artisans from Balis nine regencies and cities, Balis state universities and private universities, arts ambassador from East Nusa Tenggara Province, and even arts ambassador from India and France.
Minister of Education and Culture Anies Baswedan, Minister of Tourism Arif Yahya, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, and a number of Presidential Advisory Board (Wantimpres) officials accompanied the President and First Lady in the event. (RAH/EN)(RAS/EP/YM/Naster)