Pesta Kesenian Bali - (Bali Arts Festival)

The Bali Arts Festival, known locally as Pesta Kesenian Bali, is a significant annual event occurring from mid-June to mid-July. Initiated in 1979 by the late Professor Ida Bagus Mantra, this cultural extravaganza has become a focal point, showcasing diverse art forms for an entire month. Traditional dances, costume parades, art exhibitions, and musical performances take center stage as various banjars (village communities), sanggars (art groups), and districts engage in friendly competition. While the Taman Werdhi Budaya Arts Center in Denpasar hosts the majority of events, the festival's reach extends to venues such as the Indonesian Institution of Arts (ISI) Denpasar and the Bajra Sandhi Monument. The festivities commence with a grand parade through the streets of Denpasar, captivating onlookers in front of the Bajra Sandhi Monument. This spectacular inauguration marks the start of a month-long celebration, embracing Balinese culture through art, music, and literature across the island.