23rd Bali festival opens

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): In a ceremony marked by a colorful parade of Balinese traditional arts, Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri officially opened the 23rd Bali Arts Festival on Saturday afternoon.

Dressed in a blue Kebaya (traditional Indonesian costume) her arrival attracted a resounding welcome from the cheering thousands who crowded the venue of the ceremony, Puputan Margarana Square.

Bali has long been known as a traditional stronghold of Megawati supporters whose grandmother was Balinese.

Megawati, accompanied by Minister of Home Affairs Surjadi Sudirdja and Bali Governor Dewa Made Beratha, waved in acknowledgement of the overwhelming response she received.

Though she declared the festival open, the Vice President did not deliver a speech.

The festival, which will run until July 14, focuses on nature's harmony.

This year's festival, which will cost some Rp 1 billion, will involve at least 170 performance groups with around 2,500 artists from all over Bali.

Some 124 events -- performances, exhibitions, seminars, and competitions -- will be held over the next month.(zen)