Festivals to restore image of Kuta tourist resort begin
Festivals to restore image of Kuta tourist resort begin
I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali
Amid relentless showers, the people of Bali on Thursday evening
marked the start of the Kuta Karnival, a one-month long multi-
event festival to commemorate the New York World Trade Center and
Bali bombing tragedies.
The festival is also aimed at restoring Kuta's image as a safe
tourist destination.
The modest opening ceremony climaxed with the release of 16
baby turtles and two adult turtles into the sea.
"The event is not an event to glorify that brutal act of
terrorism but to celebrate the profound meaning and lessons of
the tragedy. Through the tragedy we have learned the meaning of
togetherness, of human brotherhood, of the powerful power of
love," event organizing committee chairman Supatra Karang said.
Kuta, dubbed the most popular tourist spot on Bali island, was
rocked by bomb blasts on Oct. 12 last year, which left 202
people, mostly foreign tourists, dead.
Supatra extended his gratitude to Sameton Duranegara (our
brothers and sisters from foreign countries), who devoted
themselves to the success of the carnival.
The event was supported by both the natives and adopted Kuta
people and drew sponsorship from almost all tourist industries in
the area.
The Australian, Austrian, British and Italian consuls attended
the modest ceremony, which was enlivened by the Barongsai and the
Peace dance performances. The head of Bali Development Planning
Agency (Bappeda) Sujana Cahyanta officially opened the carnival
by releasing the baby turtles, which were raised from eggs laid
on Kuta beach, into the calm ocean.
"The release is to symbolize that we, the people of Kuta,
respect the life and freedom of other living things," Supatra
said.
Carrying the theme "Celebration of Life, A Remembrance of
Love" the carnival will feature various events, including a beach
clean-up, fashion show, fun ball competition, kite festival,
exhibition boxing, food festival up to community bazaar.
Various local, national and international musicians and
artists, such as Soulflip, Zurya Drum, Superman is Dead, Digital
ID, Slank, Dewi and Padi would also color the event.
Meanwhile, on the first week of October Volcom-sponsored X
Week (Extreme Week) would feature top surfers, skaters, live
bands and DJs to compete and party at various parts of the Kuta
beach.
The event will conclude with a festive street parade on Oct.
11 and a candlelight remembrance ceremony the day after, which
will also involve a performance by 1,000 silent dancers at Kuta
beach.