CONFERENCE AND FESTIVAL ‘NORTH BALINESE CULTURE’

July 30^th – August 2^nd

Singaraja, Bali

www.northbali.org

Henrice Vonck 081 236 713 448

The town of Singaraja, sitting on the north coast of Bali, will host the conference and festival ‘North Balinese Culture’, to be held from July 30^th to August 2^nd, 2009. Its projected goal is to study the cultural heritage and artistic identity of the Buleleng regency, as well as to stimulate the revitalization of its artistic activity, particularly its performing arts.

It is obvious that the culture of Bali is far more complex than what can be seen in tourist guides. What’s more, the many researches that have been conducted on the island, somehow also fail to portray Balinese arts and culture in a way that could be qualified as  ‘complete’ One of the main factors lies in the fact that the vast majority of studies have been conducted in the south central region of the island. Consequently, southern Balinese cultural phenomena came to represent (at least for foreigners) Bali as a whole, therefore hiding from view many shades of this complex cultural continuum.

The conference and festival ‘North Balinese Culture’ aims to correct the situation by drawing attention on a rather neglected, but nonetheless culturally rich area of Bali: the northern regency of Buleleng, where the dynamic kebyar musical style was born around 1915. Initiated by Dutch ethnomusicologist Henrice Vonck, and headed by I Gusti Bagus Sudhyatmaka Sugriwa (president of the Foundation for the Preservation of North Balinese Culture), this multidimensional event is organised by an international committee further consisting of I Gede Yudi Gautama (leader of Tri Bhuana Giri), I Wayan Dibia (former director of ISI Denpasar), Hedi I.R Hinzler (Leiden University, Netherlands) and Éric Vandal (Gong Giri Kedaton, Montréal, Canada) and held under the auspices of UNDIKSHA (Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha Singaraja).

The conference part will feature a roster of (inter)national scholars who will deal, through presentations and lecture/demonstrations, with a broad range of topics relating to North Balinese arts and culture. Keynote speakers will be author and playwright I Gede Dharna and master dancer/musician I Wayan Dibia. Sessions will deal with North Balinese music, dance and drama, regional literature, wayang and vocal music, language, literature, tourism and more.

The festival part will include performances of North Balinese music and dance during lunch and after dinner, featuring a gong kebyar mabarung at the Sasana Budaya stage (Jl Veteran, Singaraja) on Friday 31 July. The event also marks the opening of ‘Roots of North Balinese Culture’, an exhibition of old photographs of parba, drawings and prasi in the Museum Buleleng (curator: Hedi Hinzler), and of a painting exhibition in the Aula Dinas Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata  (curator: Hardiman).

This is a unique chance to discover a ‘different’ Bali, certainly not to be missed. For more information and to subscribe, visit www.northbali.org.

Throughout the world, the wealth of traditional Balinese textiles is well known. Many of the best examples can be found in museums as far away as Switzerland.

While they are admired by many for their beauty and sheer artistry, textiles play an important part in the daily life and ceremonies of the Balinese. An interesting fact about traditional Balinese clothing is that most consist of a simple rectangular piece of cloth which is then elegantly wrapped around the body.
Textiles in Bali, though, not only serve as protection against the cold and sun but are also powerful symbols indicating the status and well being of the wearer. The women of royal families always vied with each other to make the most beautiful creations using sumptuous materials including silk imported from China and gold and silver thread.

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There is probably no place in the world with such a high density of craftsmen and artisans in Bali. You name it and you can find it here woodcarving, stone carving, bone and ivory carving, silver and gold smiths, basket weavers, terra-cotta and ceramics- the list goes on forever. Here is a short list of some of the best things available and you can go to find them.

The first thing you should realize is that it is hardly worthwhile to travel up into some mountain village to single object, unless you see this as a form adventure. For the visitor on a limited schedule, a visit to one of the several galleries specializing in high quality traditional and antique arts such as the Four Seasons Gallery in Jimbaran is probably the best idea.

Here you will see the best art by the best artisans in an environment that will let you see them in the full glory. If you are still bent on finding it yourself, here are some tips:

Continue reading ‘On Bali’s Arts and Crafts’

Having a dinner or lunch in the maze of Balinese soothing-green rice terraces that has been well-known throughout the world is no longer a fantasy; Teras Padi Cafe offers both high quality food and natural surrounding, a green rice terrace carpet as long as your eyes can see, will fulfill your fantasy and spoil both your eyes and stomach.

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Lately, Bali became a place where several international events were held. Two famous tourism areas, Kuta and Ubud were hosts of those events. Both of committee of Asian Beach Game (ABG) and Kuta Carnival held their event in the same place; around of Kuta beach while the committee of Ubud Writer preferred Ubud to be the host.

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Photo : Sacred dance,Baris Cina, was performed at Pura Petitenget

BARIS CINA. The Baris Cina is danced by 18 dancers the weapon being a saber. This dance has unique costume, trouser, shirt, sarong shawl, black spectacles and hat. The dance movement imitates the artistic motion of martial art “Pencak Silat”. The accompanying music is Gong Beri (gong without snout). This dance is performed in temple ceremony in south Bali especially in Khayangan Tiga Temple, Renon village and Belanjong, Sanur (Denpasar)

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Photo courtesy of The St. Regis Bali

Journey to an exclusive and privilaged location wich breathes an alluring beachfront eloquence. Overloking the majestic oceanfront and Bali’s premier Golf Course, The St. Regis Bali Resort captures an element of style in a timesless and refined environment. A destination of romance and mystique, the splendid resort reflects the very essence of Bali culture.

Featuring aromatic tropical flower arrangements, exquisite furnishings, intricately detailed and architecturally stunning interiors, The St. Regis Bali Resort undoubtedly transforms and indulges the very senses of each guest

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Wedding in Bali is not a dream. Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, Bali will helps you to deliver the truly romantic of this paradise on earth for your wedding ceremony and reception. With its beachfront location on Kuta beach, feel the tropical breeze while celebrating your personal commitment with the love one.

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Row of art shops selling pottery is the first sight that you will see when visiting Banyumelek Village. This pottery-making village is situated in West Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). Banyumelek village is a pottery-making center renowned for their exquisite earthenware products.

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Lombok Tengah Map

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The word “Kuta” is not just a name for a beautiful beach in Bali, but also the name for equally beautiful beach in Lombok Island in West Nusa Tenggara province. Kuta beach of Lombok is situated on the south coast of Lombok island. It has 5 km of an unbroken expanse of clean white sand and turquoise sea with rugged hills as background, though this beach open directly to Indian Ocean but it is safe for bathing and swimming here. Further to the west there are surfer’s and windsurfer’s beaches.

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Lombok Tengah Map

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