Bali Cultural Department targets new discoveries from palm leaf manuscript conservation at Kura-Kura Special Economic Zone
Denpasar – Bali’s Cultural Department (Disbud) is targeting new discoveries from conservation activities of lontar (palm leaf manuscripts) at the Kura-Kura Special Economic Zone (KEK) in Bali.
“The Kura-Kura Special Economic Zone has already collaborated with Balinese Language Instructors. I hope that from these ancient-looking lontar texts, when read and studied, valuable information will be discovered,” said Ida Bagus Alit Suryana, Head of Bali’s Cultural Department.
Speaking in Denpasar on Friday, Alit noted that conservation of ancient lontar manuscripts typically yields readings covering historical accounts, regional information, folklore, and traditional medicinal remedies.
At the Kura-Kura Special Economic Zone, staff preserve a diverse collection of ancient lontar manuscripts assembled in Bali Abode Gallery, which are now being brought out for study. According to the Cultural Department, there remains a possibility of discovering new information from these ancient texts.
“If such discoveries do emerge, it would be extraordinary. Through this special economic zone, we would obtain a highly valuable source of information that will surely be useful,” he stated.
Beyond manuscript translation, the initiative includes a Balinese script writing festival for young people. The Cultural Department expressed appreciation for the zone’s involvement, noting that investment serves both tourism and cultural preservation purposes.
According to Alit, anyone residing or conducting business in Bali should take responsibility for maintaining Balinese culture, particularly when able to engage younger generations.
“I hope others will follow this example, especially since I see many Balinese cultural heritage items preserved here, demonstrating true preservation efforts and engaging young people who will become future leaders determining Bali’s future,” he said.
Alit noted that participants in this year’s Balinese Language Month came from beyond Bali, including Lombok, East Java, West Java, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Sulawesi, participating online.
Zefri Alfaruqy, Head of Communications at the Kura-Kura Special Economic Zone, expressed gratitude for support from Bali’s Provincial Government in their activities.
The Balinese Language Month served as an opportunity to showcase their lontar collection, hoping that benefits would result from the Balinese script translation efforts.
The zone invited forty students to participate in a Balinese script writing workshop alongside creative activities, including handicraft production and a culinary festival.
“It so happens that Bali Abode Gallery holds a collection of lontar manuscripts, which we will examine and conserve. Since they are written in Balinese script, we invited students and the general public to learn alongside language instructors, sharing materials and knowledge,” Alfaruqy explained.