Denpasar and Bangli Artists Collaborate in Gong Kebyar Performance at Bali Arts Festival

Artists from Denpasar and Bangli took part in the Adult Gong Kebyar Parade as part of the 48th Bali Arts Festival (PKB) 2026, staging a collaboration on the Ardha Candra open stage at the Bali Cultural Park. “Our experience rehearsing with artists from other regions was extraordinary; we learned from each other, uniting our different backgrounds into one shared feeling and togetherness,” said I Gede Adi Surya, a musician from the Semara Budaya Art Studio in Denpasar. The combined performance of two groups from different areas showcased the harmony of Gong Kebyar, emphasising cohesion, musical dynamics, and a spirit of togetherness among the artists. Gede Adi described the collaborative process as a valuable experience for mutual learning and exchange. Rehearsals for PKB 2026 focused not only on mastering the musical material but also on building closeness among the musicians to ensure a seamless stage performance. “During the rehearsal process, we adapted and understood each other to build chemistry so that we could perform with one unified feeling,” he said. Adi Surya added that the collaboration carried a message that differences in regional backgrounds are not a barrier to uniting in the preservation of Balinese traditional arts. “Our message through this Bangli and Denpasar collaboration in the Adult Gong Kebyar Parade is to show the public that even though we come from different areas, we share one feeling and a commitment to preserving the culture and tradition of Gong Kebyar,” he stated. The Adult Gong Kebyar Parade is one of the Utsawa agendas within the PKB 2026 series, providing a platform for artists from various regencies and cities in Bali to display their creativity while strengthening efforts to preserve Balinese arts and culture through cross-regional collaboration.