Bali once again becomes the stage for a grand celebration of Indonesian art and culture. The Festival Indonesia Bertutur 2024, organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) through the Directorate General of Culture, has officially opened at Chandra Muka Field, Batubulan, Gianyar. The event, which started on August 7, will run until August 18.
This year's Festival Indonesia Bertutur brings together various artists and cultural practitioners on one stage. By collaborating with museums and involving artists, the festival creates a collaborative space that inspires the creation of creative works rooted in cultural heritage.
Festival Indonesia Bertutur 2024 is themed "Subak: Harmony with the Creator, Nature and Fellow Humans," reflecting the Tri Hita Karana philosophy of the Balinese Hindu community. The subak, a water management system recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2012, symbolizes the balance between man, nature and the Creator.
Ahmad Mahendra, Director of Film, Music and Media, emphasized the importance of global understanding of Subak, which is not only relevant in Indonesia, but also worldwide, as it reflects water justice and universal harmony.
The Festival Indonesia Bertutur 2024 will be held in six venues in Batubulan, Ubud and Nusa Dua, with the participation of about 900 artists from Indonesia and abroad.
By showcasing 120 cultural works through various media such as installations, performances, music, dance, film, and theater, the festival aims to convey cultural values, including Subak, to the younger generation and inspire them in their daily lives.
One of the works presented in Festival Indonesia Bertutur 2024 is a musical piece by Erlinda Sofyan from Aceh, inspired by the Cakra Donya bell at the Aceh Museum, which she narrates in her work.
Weaving Harmony Through Culture
The Festival Indonesia Bertutur 2024 features nine main programs: Maha Wasundari, Visaraloka, Kathanaya, Layarambha, Ekayana, Samaya Sastra, Anarta, Kiranamaya, and Virama.
Kemendikbudristek launched the festival with the performance "Maha Wasundari," which showcased three Balinese dance genres recognized as world cultural heritage and emphasized the importance of balance between humans and nature. "Maha Wasundari" refers to the nobility of water and earth, aiming to continue ancestral traditions and preserve cultural values through reflective and educational art.
The opening event also included the sounding of the Okokan, a Balinese musical instrument symbolizing fertility and harmony, by several officials, including Director General of Culture Hilmar Farid and Artistic Director Melati Suryodarmo.
The festival provides public access to various event locations such as the ARMA Museum, Rumah Topeng dan Wayang Setia Darma, TONYRAKA Art Gallery, Neka Art Museum, and Museum Puri Lukisan. Starting August 14, additional events will also be held on Peninsula Island, Nusa Dua.
Public can access these cultural expression spaces for free by registering through the indonesiabertutur2024 website and staying updated via indonesiabertutur.kemdikbud.go.id or the Instagram account @indonesiabertutur.
