Cultural legacies must be conserved

By I Wayan Juniarta

SANUR, Bali (JP): Bali is rich in cultural heritage but the rapid growth of development projects and the tourism industry has threatened these centuries-old legacies.

The government, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and academic circles are concerned by the destruction of numerous historical and religious sites in Bali to make way for various development projects.

To take immediate action to preserve and conserve Bali's cultural heritage, a number of world organizations are jointly holding the International Symposium on Conserving Cultural Heritage for Sustainable Social Economy and Tourism Development at the Grand Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur from July 9 to July 14.

The symposium, organized by the Bali Cultural Office, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Asia West Pacific Network for Urban Conservation, Lestari Foundation, the consultant company SAGRIC International, Wastuwidyawan and the World Bank, focused on how to conserve Bali's precious culture.

During his opening speech, President Abdurrahman Wahid stressed the importance of maintaining cultural diversity to strengthen and unite Indonesia.

The President admitted his administration faced a daunting task in balancing the need to preserve cultural heritage and increasing the economic potency of its people.

"Sometimes we have to sacrifice one thing in order to gain the other. We often consider the future more important than the past. But, of course, we cannot abandon or destroy our cultural heritage," the President said.

When the chairwoman of the Hindu Observer Forum, Dewa Ngurah Swastha, complained about the destructive effects tourism had on Balinese culture and identity, Abdurrahman responded sharply.

"The Balinese have the right to enjoy good living standard as well as the right to develop their own cultural identity. It is important to preserve the existing cultural identity, but at the same we cannot avoid the flood of cultural elements from outside."

The President also was critical of a statement by the chairman of Bali Travel Mart 2000, Jro Gde Karang T Suarshana, who hinted that Balinese culture was superior than other cultures.

Suarshana also stated Bali's status as a secure and safe island was threatened by the continuing flow of non-Balinese workers and fortune-seekers coming to Bali looking for a better life.

"I think you are a chauvinist. No culture is superior than others," the President maintained.

The head of the Bali Cultural Office, Ida Bagus Pangdjaja, underlined that for many years Bali had been famous across the world for the beauty of its tourist attractions and its unique culture. Yet little attention had been paid to preserving and conserving the island's diverse and rich cultural heritage.

"The meeting is aimed at attracting the world's attention to the efforts of conserving Bali's cultural heritage," said Pangdjaya.

In fact, the Bali Cultural Heritage Project (CHC) is part of the Bali Urban Infrastructure Program (BUIP), which is funded by the World Bank, Pangdjaja said.

BUIP is a project which is attempting to develop and improve vital urban infrastructure and preserve Bali's unique culture and environment.

The president of the World Bank, Jamaluddin Kasum, explained that BUIP was perhaps the bank's most comprehensive project in support of the preservation of cultural heritage anywhere in the world.

Minister of Settlement and Territorial Development Erna Witoelar spoke about the policy and strategy of cultural heritage conservation in her ministry. The director general of culture in the national education ministry, I Gusti Ngurah Anom, spoke about the role of heritage conservation in culture revitalization, and Deputy Minister of Tourism and Arts I Gde Ardika gave his thoughts on the role of tourism in cultural heritage conservation.

Speakers from Korea, China, Nepal and Malaysia also shared their expertise and experiences in conservation.

Helen Creese and Thomas M. Hunter Jr., experts in Balinese culture, presented papers on the importance of preserving ancient Balinese manuscripts. A number of other people addressed other issues. Pitana spoke about the Balinese traditional villages, Desa Adat discussed empowerment, Sutjaja addressed the Balinese language, Windu Sancaya delved into the palm-leaf manuscript Lontar, Dibia spoke on the conservation of Balinese classical dances and Made Suacana presented a data-based computerization of Balinese culture.

During the symposium, some members of the Bali CHC project team delivered papers on conservation plans and strategies for several of Bali's cultural sites, including Besakih Temple, Singaraja, Gilimanuk archaeological sites and Mandala Manthika Subak Museum in Tabanan.

Other conservation projects include the reconstruction of Taman Ujung in Karangasem, the protection and management of the Bali Museum's textile collections, the conservation and translation of the Gedong Kirtya's palm-leaf manuscripts and minor restoration work on eight important Hindu temples.

"These are community-based projects which involve as many local elements as possible, to balance the efforts to conserve Bali's culture and to develop it as a tourist destination which benefits locals, the government and visitors," said Andi Siswanto, technical director of the Bali Cultural Heritage Project.

However, without strong political will and an understanding of Balinese culture, such projects may end up failing.