Jokowi to open Bali Arts Festival 2017 on June 10

JAKARTA. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is set to open the month-long Bali Arts Festival 2017, which will feature cultural performances and lesser-known traditional rituals, on June 10.

The opening ceremony will be conducted in front of the Bajra Sandhi Monument—a monument honoring the struggles of Balinese people throughout history—in Denpasar.

“President Jokowi is going to launch the festival parade. However, if he’s unable to do it, he will officiate the Bali Arts Festival 2017 on an open stage in Ardha Candra cultural park accompanied by Tourism Minister Arief Yahya and other government officials,” said Bali Tourism Agency head AA Yuniartha Putra.

The ministry's archipelago tourism marketing development deputy, Esthy Reko Astuti, said the event met all three requirements of access, accommodation and attraction.

Slated until July 8, the festival will feature plenty of attractions, such as the Bali Arts Festival parade, arts and cultural performances, competitions, a photography workshop with Art Fusion Bali, the Semiloka Bali Arts Festival and more.

“In terms of accessibility, there are plenty of flights available to Bali; it only takes around one hour [to travel] from Ngurah Rai International Airport to Bajra Sandhi Monument,” said Esthy.

As for accommodation, many options are available in Denpasar, including Villa Tepi Segara, Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center, Harris Hotel & Convention Center Denpasar, ibis Styles Denpasar and more.