The International Conference and Festival Cultural Identity of North Balinese (30 July – 2 August 2009) is highlighted by painting, handicrafts and photos exhibitions, craftsmanship demonstration by Buleleng’s craftsmen and the performances of Buleleng’s art maestros.

The painting and handicrafts exhibitions as well as the demonstration by Buleleng’s craftsmen take place at the hall of Buleleng’s Cultural and Tourism Department. The painting and handicrafts exhibition is held inside the hall. The painters who participate in this the exhibition are those who born and grew up in Buleleng or spent long period of time there. As for the craftsmanship demonstration it is held outside the hall. The craftsmen who show their skill and talent range from sculptures to the makers of perasi (drawing on processed palm leaf).

The photo exhibition is held at Buleleng museum. The photos that are exhibited there are mainly captured the condition and situation of Buleleng in bygone era especially the period under Dutch occupancy. The highlight of the exhibition is the photos Buleleng kings and royal family.

The performance of Buleleng’s maestros took place on 30 July 2009. Maestros from various types of art gathered at the hall of Banyu Alit hotel to give their best performances. The first performer was Bulan Trisna Djelantik performing Condong dance with subtle and elegant movements; the second performer was 66-year-old Made Geranja performing Teruna Jaya dance energetically, made it hard to believe that he is 66 years old; right after Made Geranja was Jero Dalang Sidia performing shadow puppet show; the fourth performers were Ketut Yuka and his gambuh troupe performing the old Gambuh dance; the humble but talented I Gusti Bagus Suarsana was next on the row performing the art of playing gerantang (musical instrument made of bamboo) in various styles, right after that is 70-year-old Ni Luh Menek who gave a stunning performance of Palawakya (a kind of performing art which combines dancing, singing, and playing musical instrument), and next performance was modern drama by Made Sukadana and his troupe, they performed a story entitled “Cupak makan tanah” (Cupak eats land) the last but not least is arja performance by Nengah Wijaya and his troupe. These performances by Buleleng’s maestros give a glimpse of Buleleng’s cultural richness to the audiences.

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