Posts filed under 'Events'
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,accompanied by Bali Governor Dewa Beratha, officially opened the 29th Bali Arts Festival here on Saturday, by striking a wooden drum.
The sound of the wooden drum was immediately followed by traditional music and dances being performed by tens of Balinese artists.
On the occasion, President Yudhoyono also officially launched a new brand of Bali’s tourist promotion.
The opening of the annual arts festival was highlighted with a parade of traditional arts teams coming among other things from China, Japan, and Indonesia’s provinces such as Jakarta, West Sumatra, Riau, Lampung and South Sulawesi.
Source: The Jakarta Post
June 17th, 2007
With the first commitment phase of the Kyoto Protocol climate change treaty set to end in 2012, the world is turning to Bali, where the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place in December. Moekti Handajani Soejachmoen, director of independent think tank for environmental policy analysis Pelangi Indonesia Foundation shared her views on climate change based on her experiences from taking part in previous climate conferences and expectations for the Bali conference with , director of independent think tank for environmental policy analysis Pelangi Indonesia Foundation shared her views on climate change based on her experiences from taking part in previous climate conferences and expectations for the Bali conference with The Jakarta Post’s Stevie Emilia..
Question: What can we expect from the Bali climate conference?
There are hopes that several issues that have been left hanging in past climate conferences and meetings can be discussed in Bali, such as an agreement on funding mechanisms related to adaptation, especially regarding mechanisms to obtain funds, as well as (the establishment of an) international institution in charge of managing the funding mechanism.
On the other side, the transfer of technology is a crucial issue, the implementation of which is currently neglected. Technology transfer mechanisms, including its institution, are still under heated debate. At least, there is a hope for development (in negotiations) on a technology transfer mechanism and its management although decisions on the matters might not yet be final.
Another important factor is reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countries. REDD, a new agenda in climate change negotiation, is intended to appreciate efforts to cut emissions from deforestation. Until now, this agenda has not been made part of official negotiations and is still being discussed on its basic issues, such as definitions, policy options and incentive mechanisms.
During the Nairobi meeting last year, it was hoped the Bali conference would mark the end of this discussion process (on REDD) and the start of the negotiation process. But during the UN meeting in Bonn, Germany, in May, there was a proposal to extend the deadline on this matter until the end of 2008. But it is hoped the Bali conference will reach agreements on several issues that can serve as a base for the negotiation process.
The Bali conference is also hoped to be the place which marks the start of negotiation process to find a successor climate change treaty after the first commitment phase of the Kyoto Protocol (which expires in 2012).
In Bali, it is hoped agreements will be reached on criteria for countries that are obligated to cut emissions after 2012 based on scientific analysis which takes into account economic and technology factors.
What should the government prepare to do to reach those goals?
As the host, Indonesia is the event’s president, meaning it will have a chance to show its leadership in directing the negotiation processes to reach the expected results and meet the world citizens’ wish to officially start negotiation process to deal with global warming and climate change post-Kyoto Protocol.
In order to reach the goals, the Indonesian government should approach several key players, including the Annex-I countries, including the U.S. and Australia, as well as several developing countries that have emerged as key players.
The government should take into account that several unsolved issues are important elements in determining negotiation direction and the form of the post-2012 treaty.
The government should also prepare several scenarios for the Bali conference and should hold several meetings, both formal and informal, related to its agenda to get common understandings of several sensitive issues ahead of the conference.
Indonesia plans to push for a reforestation fund, what do you think of this?
Based on the ongoing climate change negotiation process, it is likely that efforts to deal with the matter will go through REDD. But it should be remembered that REDD is an agenda that is still in the very early discussion phase and it is likely to be implemented after 2012.
It means that in the first commitment phase there is no funding mechanism under the UNFCCC or the Kyoto Protocol that supports reforestation efforts besides the clean development mechanism but the existing criteria and methodology in the mechanism cannot yet support the rehabilitation of Indonesia’s forests. In this case, there is a need to prepare the forestry sector to face various possibilities on the negotiations and mechanisms that might be introduced under REDD.
If the U.S. continues to reject the treaty, what should be done?
The U.S. government’s attitude toward the Kyoto Protocol has not changed but its residents and even its Senate have different views. So there is a need for an internal process in the U.S. from its own residents and the Senate to shift their government’s position.
On the other hand, the facts have shown (there have been) various climate-related disasters and other nations have not rejected global efforts to deal with this problem.
Some say there might be a need to buy time waiting for a change of the U.S. government (leaders) as well as in Australia so that both will join the global cooperation. Many clean technologies have been introduced, including in countries that rejected the Kyoto Protocol. Are they doing enough to deal with global warming or is global cooperation really significant?
Clean technologies being introduced should be seen as an added effort of in the global fight against rising global temperatures. (But) global cooperation in dealing with climate change is important since the effort is not basically to try to cut greenhouse gas emissions but also a joint effort to deal with its impacts.
The join efforts include adaptation, technology transfer, capacity building and various funding mechanisms to support the efforts.
Source: The Jakarta Post
June 15th, 2007
The resort island of Bali will be temporarily closed for 24 hours as of Monday morning at 6 a.m. through to the same time Tuesday to observe Nyepi (the Hindu Day of Silence).
The island’s Ngurah Rai International Airport will welcome its last flight on Sunday at midnight and will halt operations until the morning of March 20, according to airport spokesman Ahmad Munir.
“We announced the closure on Jan. 9 to all domestic and international airlines plying Bali routes. Therefore, (the companies) already understand the situation,” Munir said.
During the ritual of Nyepi, 90 percent of the island’s 3.5 million inhabitants will practice Yoga Semedi and Catur Berata Penyepian (meditation), Amati Geni (which forbids them from lighting fires and switching on lights), Amati Karya (working), Amati Lelanguan (enjoying leisure activities) and Amati Lelungan (leaving their houses).
Bali will be completely darkened and silenced for a full day, allowing the island’s Hindu population to meditate, contemplate and pray for a better future.
Nyepi is one of the most important religious rituals for Balinese Hindus to welcome the Saka New Year 1929.
No visitors are allowed to come to the island during the day of silence. All entry points, apart from the international airport, Gilimanuk Port in West Bali and Padang Bai Port in East Bali, will be closed.
Gede Putrawan, head of Gilimanuk Port said the ferry port will be closed on Monday morning from 5:30 a.m. through to Tuesday at 6 p.m.
In Padang Bai, the last ferry to travel to Lombok Island will depart by 4:30 a.m. on Monday morning.
Domestic and foreign visitors are encouraged to stay in their hotels and other places of accommodation during the holiday, as the island will be tightly guarded by traditional Balinese security guards, Pecalang, to ensure all people abide by the holiday regulations.
Schools, public and private offices, and banks will put a hold on operations on the day. Most local and foreign bank ATMs will only operate until 12 noon on Sunday and will be reopened on March 21.
Prior to the Nyepi holiday, Balinese Hindus carried out a series of rituals that began last Friday when thousands of Hindus paraded to the beach nearest them to hold the Melasti ritual — the cleansing of utensils and more importantly, their souls.
The Melasti ceremony symbolizes the purification of the earth and the universe through the removal of all evil elements.
On Sunday, the Balinese will hold a Tawur Kesanga ceremony, a ritual to present a caru (sacrifice) to the Bhuta Kala (demons), which will be symbolized by giant Ogoh-ogoh dolls that act to ward off any devilish or negative forces.
On the same afternoon, thousands of people will carry their Ogoh-ogoh and set them on fire at a Pengurupukan ritual.
Bali Police chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Purwoko said he had already deployed hundreds of police officers to ensure the smooth running of the ceremony.
“Many streets will be closed and rerouted to avoid traffic jams in many places in Bali this coming Sunday afternoon. I suggest to visitors they stay away from the crowds for their own security,” Purwoko said.
He said Christian leaders have also been asked to hold Sunday mass by 4 p.m. at the latest due to the impending traffic jams.
But for many of the island’s visitors, these ceremonies provide a rare tourist attraction, with many traveling to Bali specifically to watch the holiday celebrations.
Tjokorda Ardana Sukawati, chairman of the Bali Hotels and Restaurants Association, said that despite the many tourists who have been attracted to the island over the Nyepi holiday, hotels have been encouraged not to hold live music performances and to refrain from switching on lights.
“The majority of hotels in Bali are now fully booked. They are offering a variety of Nyepi packages,” he said.
Source: The Jakarta Post
March 19th, 2007
Bali’s reputation as an international centre for the arts is further enhanced with the recent opening of Casa Iseabo, a gallery specializing in contemporary art, centrally located in Seminyak. The gallery focuses on artists who dare to be true to their vision in a chosen field - whether stone or wood hand-carving, glass, painting, metals or any other medium.
Casa Iseabo supports and promotes exceptionally talented local artists who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to exhibit their work in Bali and overseas.
The gallery’s first exhibition spotlights the “primitive-modernist” art of famous Balinese stone sculptor, I Wayan Cemul. At 78 years of age, this is only his second exhibition in 50 years (in 1983 he exhibited in Australia) and the first time he has produced sculptures in white stone. His unconventional sculptures are delightfully Balinese in character and full of comical playfulness. Many of them are displayed in museums and hotels throughout Bali, as well as collected by private individuals worldwide.
CASA ISEABO
JI Laksmana 22A
Seminyak, Bali
www.casaiseabo.com
Source: Tropical Living
May 23rd, 2006
The 28th Annual Bali Arts Festival in Buleleng is held this year, coinciding with the 402nd Anniversary of the regency which was named by the first Radja of Bali-Pandji Sakti who named the original Capital of Bali, Singaraja.
May 19 sees the Grand Opening ceremony, which also is the start of a series of evening cultural shows held at the Sasana Budaya Singaraja.
On Saturday, May 20, Gamelan Semar Pegulingan (among the traditional Balinese music usually played in special events or temple festivals) is held, featuring the orchestra group from the Gobleg Banjar village. Another orchestra, Angklung Kebyar (normally used in cremation ceremonies), is featured from Busungbiu village.
Sunday, May 21, has a Joged Mebarung competition. The Joged Bumbung is one of the few exclusively secular dances of Bali, in which the brightly-dressed female dancer invites males from the audience to dance with her in pretence of seduction. The Music is made with bumbung (bamboo) instruments. This dance is very popular among tourists. The Music and the dancers are from Sari Mekar Village and from Petandakan Village. Performances commence at 8pm.
Monday, May 22, has the Women’s Gong Kebyar Gamelan orchestras competing between Gong Kebyar from Galungan Village and Gong Kebyar from Pancasari Village. Tuesday, May 23 sees the closing ceremony of the festival, featuring Men’s Gong Kebyar from Trippitaka Munduk and Ambengan Village. The “Wija Kusuma Art Awards” is also highlighted in the evening from 7.30pm. For additional information contact Damai Lovina Villas.
Damai Lovina Villas, Singaraja, North Bali - www.damai.com
Source: Bali and Beyond
May 22nd, 2006
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