The city of Denpasar received the national award Anugerah Cita Negeri 2025 from the Kompas TV channel - in the category of 'Peace and Inclusivity'. Officially, it was for its tolerance and cultural diversity. Unofficially, it was for the ability to remain calm in traffic jams, when temple processions are nearby, and a bike with three children is overtaking in the opposite lane.
The award was presented by Indonesia's Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, at the Kompas TV studio in Jakarta. According to the minister, Denpasar is an example of how a city can develop without losing the spirit of unity.
Denpasar is truly special. Here, dozens of ethnic groups live side by side. Just minutes apart are Hindu temples, mosques, and churches. And if this is not an example of tolerance, then what is? A city where the morning gamelan coexists with the evening sounds of karaoke, old temples exist alongside coworking spaces, and traditional markets are next to art galleries.
The city also regularly hosts festivals that bring together different cultures - from Balinese temple ceremonies to the Chinese festival Imlek, which annually transforms Gajah Mada street into a vibrant parade of lanterns, music, and treats.
The city hall is also proud of its inclusive library program. These are special places where not only can you read, but also sit under a fan, charge your phone, and chat with neighbors. According to the city hall, 83% of the city's residents read at least once a week. Perhaps this number includes those who read menus in warungs.
In 2025, the capital of Bali was included in the top 100 best tourist cities in the world according to Euromonitor International. And in the summer, Indonesia's Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection awarded the city the title of 'Child-Friendly City'. Of course, if 'safety' means knowing how to cross the street between dozens of bikes with a smile on your face.
However, behind all this lies some truth. Denpasar is lively, noisy, and diverse. It's not perfect, but everything coexists somehow - traffic jams, temples, graffiti, kids in school uniforms, and tourists with suitcases. Here, tolerance is not built; it is simply practiced, day by day. And while at times it may resemble chaos more than a showcase of inclusivity, this is precisely its charm.
What do you think makes Denpasar tolerant?
Sources: antaranews, baliglobalnews
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