BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR – Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ni Luh Puspa, and Deputy Minister of Population and Family Development, Isyana Bagoes Oka, praised the grandeur of the opening ceremony of the 48th Bali Arts Festival (Pesta Kesenian Bali/PKB), held in front of the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Renon, Denpasar, on Saturday (June 13, 2026).

The festival officially opened with the Peed Aya cultural parade, featuring diverse artistic performances from representatives of all regencies and cities across Bali. Thousands of residents and visitors lined Jalan Raya Puputan to witness the vibrant cultural procession.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa said the Bali Arts Festival has become one of the island’s premier cultural attractions, significantly contributing to tourist arrivals in Bali. She noted that this year’s event coincides with the school holiday season, creating additional opportunities to boost domestic tourism.

“Last year, around 1.6 million people attended the Bali Arts Festival, generating an economic turnover of approximately Rp17 billion. Cultural performances and artistic showcases like these are undoubtedly major tourism attractions, especially during the school holiday season,” she said.

Ni Luh Puspa also commended the Bali Provincial Government for its consistency in organizing the festival, which has now reached its 48th edition. She highlighted that PKB has been included in Indonesia’s Karisma Event Nusantara list for six consecutive years, reflecting its strong reputation and appeal as a national cultural event.

“We highly appreciate the Bali Provincial Government for successfully organizing PKB for 48 years and for being part of the Karisma Event Nusantara for six consecutive years. We hope this year’s attendance will surpass 1.6 million visitors,” she added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Population and Family Development Isyana Bagoes Oka said the festival demonstrates the active involvement of younger generations in preserving Bali’s rich cultural heritage.

According to Isyana, the participation of children and youth in various performances shows that cultural regeneration is taking place, ensuring the continuity of Bali’s artistic traditions.

“Today we witnessed the cultural richness of every regency and city in Bali, while also seeing how children and young people are involved in this celebration. We hope this will inspire future dancers, artists, and cultural practitioners who will continue preserving Balinese culture,” she said.

Isyana also praised the participation of people with disabilities in the opening ceremony, describing it as a reflection of the festival’s inclusive spirit.

“This shows that regardless of our circumstances, everyone can participate. Persons with disabilities have the same opportunity to contribute to preserving culture, especially Balinese culture,” she said.

The 48th Bali Arts Festival carries the theme “Atma Kerthi: Jiwa Sidha Parisudha,” which emphasizes the purification and elevation of the human soul toward a state of harmony, clarity, and spiritual perfection.

Peed Aya serves as the opening event for ten major programs scheduled throughout the festival. Other key activities include Kandarupa, Rekasadana, Utsawa, Kriyaloka, Wimbakara, Widyatula, Adi Sewaka Nugraha, Jantra Tradisi Bali, and the Bali World Culture Celebration.

The festival will run for nearly a month, from June 13 to July 11, 2026. This year, a total of 20,929 artists from Bali, other regions of Indonesia, and abroad are participating in the festival, an increase from 20,089 artists recorded in 2025.

The growing number of participants underscores the Bali Arts Festival’s position as one of Indonesia’s largest and most influential cultural events, while reinforcing Bali’s reputation as a global center for arts and culture.