President Wants Long-Delayed Cultural Park Finished in Time for World Cultural Festival in Bali.

According to the Indonesian-language Bisnis Indonesia, President Bambang Susilo Yudhoyono has expressed the wish that the 250-hectare cultural park and monument Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) complex on Bali’s Ungasan peninsula can be finally complete by October 2008, in time for the World Cultural Festival planned in Bali.

With a completion cost variously estimated at between US$70 and US$270 million, the centerpiece of the park will be a monument standing 146 meters high and some 286 meters above sea level. With a foundation structure the equivalent of a 16 storey building, the total statue is estimated to eventually weigh 2,000 tons when completed and will resemble the image of the Hindu epic hero Lord Wisnu sitting stop the back of the mythical Garuda bird. The wing span of the Garuda bird will be an impressive 60 meters.

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Since the 1930’s Bali has been the premier destination for celebrities and noted personalities who were inspired by the island as a place of sensuality, mystery, romance, and adventure. Bali continues to be an artistic and spiritual haven attracting celebrities, writers, actors and directors from around the world and Bali Film Center (BFC) is inviting those who have this Bali connection to the first ever BALI TAKSU FILM FESTIVAL & AWARDS.

The four-day event to be held on Bali October 25-28 includes a salute to these ‘Ambassadors’ in the international film industry for their continued support of Bali and Indonesia, a retrospective of Bali-themed Films, a Tribute to Indonesian Filmmakers, a Christies Charity Art Auction plus a Celebrity Golf Challenge. In addition, producers and directors will take this opportunity to explore the abundant film location possibilities available throughout the country and discover why Bali first came to the attention of Hollywood through films like Andre Roosevelt‘s (US President Theodore Roosevelt’s nephew), Goona Goona (1932). Goona Goona was originally released in two-color Technicolor and one of the last films released with unsynchronized sound track.

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Hindu-Balinese identity is enforced through pork meatballs and praying competitions.

Walking the streets of Denpasar, you will probably notice small food stalls and carts bearing red and white banners that read Bakso Krama Bali (BKB), meaning bakso (meatball soup) sold for and by Balinese. Previously, bakso was most commonly made from chicken and sold from carts by Javanese migrants. The new BKB often uses pork, thus violating halal (Islamic dietary) requirements, meaning not only that Muslims can’t eat BKB, but also that they can’t sell it. Non-Muslim Balinese therefore have a monopoly on the market.

BKB arose in an attempt to take back control over the Balinese economy from the perceived economic threat of Javanese transmigrants. Even non-BKB food stalls and carts will often paint Bakso Ajeg Bali (literally, Bakso Strengthening Bali) on their signs, or advertise that they use pork, in order to benefit from the rising popularity of BKB. BKB is a reflection of what could be interpreted as the rise of Balinese nationalist or Hindu fundamentalist sentiment in Bali.

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Tomorrow, 4/18/2007, Balinese will celebrate a special holiday, Pagerwesi. The Pagerwesi occur every 210 days on Wednesday Kliwon Sinta (the first Wednesday in Balinese Pawukon calendar). The Pagerwesi mark the beginning of Balinese Pawukon cycle with important message to stay aware and surround oneself with a strong fortification against the forces of evil all the year to come, these pledges clearly stated in the meaning of the word “Pagerwesi”. The word “pager” means “fence” and the word “wesi” means “iron”, on this day Balinese have to erect a strong fence against all evil forces.

The celebration of Pagerwesi is based on the ancient scripture, Sundarigama, which stated that “Budha Kliwon Shinta Ngaran Pagerwesi payogan Sang Hyang Pramesti Guru kairing ring watek Dewata Nawa Sanga ngawerdhiaken sarwa tumitah sarwatumuwuh ring bhuana kabeh”, means “Wednesday Kliwon Shinta is known as Pagerwesi, when Sanghyang Pramesti Guru (God as Supreme Teacher) with Dewata Nawa Sanga (Gods that protect nine directions) meditate for the welfare of all being in the world”.

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Warm greetings from the gangsa,

“in harmony with the gangsa” is our very own newsletter designed to keep guests and travel associates informed of recent news from the gangsa. for this 4^th edition I would like to take the opportunity to thank readers for the positive response shown towards this update.

I sincerely believe that the gangsa is continuing to lead the way in the resort destination of Sanur by taking a progressive approach towards Bali’s evolving tourism industry. in recent months we have taken the initiative to create a new in-villa dining menu and upgrade existing guest services and facilities.

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The Balé, a Lifestyle Retreat and Member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, is excited to announce the appointment of Brandon Huisman as its new Executive Chef. Brandon joins The Balé Family with vast cooking and educational experience from around the globe.

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