Governor Koster to Meet Villages That Failed to Observe Balinese Language Month
Denpasar - Bali Governor Wayan Koster intends to meet with village and sub-district heads reported to have failed to organise activities commemorating Balinese Language Month 2026.
“I have received reports that several villages and sub-districts have not implemented Balinese Language Month. I ask the Head of Community Empowerment to note this so I can invite them—not summon, but rather to discuss why they did not organise the event,” said Koster in Denpasar on Saturday.
After Balinese Language Month was held for a full month, Governor Koster received reports that 45 villages and sub-districts did not organise any activities whatsoever, not counting customary villages and educational institutions.
Since the inaugural Balinese Language Month was held in 2019, the Bali provincial government has sought to engage the entire community in efforts to preserve Balinese language, script, and literature.
“What we have achieved: first, our children from primary school to university participated, meaning this activity serves as a mechanism for generational renewal. So, just as written in ancient palm leaf manuscripts in Balinese script, it involves not only parents but also children,” he said.
Aside from villages and sub-districts, Governor Koster received reports that 12 customary villages failed to organise Balinese Language Month. However, for customary villages, Koster expressed understanding.
“Of the 1,500 customary villages, some did not implement Balinese Language Month, but according to the regional secretary, those that did not had issues and could not receive budget support for customary villages. I have asked the head of community empowerment to resolve this soon so that in 2027 all customary villages can follow the pattern being implemented,” Koster said.
The Bali provincial government also took a firm stance towards educational institutions, as some secondary schools were found not to have observed Balinese Language Month, despite all special education schools organising activities.
According to data from the Bali Culture Office, Head of Culture Ida Bagus Alit Suryana stated that from 1-28 February 2026, the Bali provincial government conducted 12 activities.
Subsequently, 17 competitions or wimbakara were held, participated in by representatives from districts, cities, and the general public, including online participants from outside Bali such as Lombok, East Java, West Java, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Sulawesi, with a total of 1,168 participants.
Two widyatula or seminars discussing lontar manuscripts were also held with 958 participants, kriyaloka or workshops were attended by 516 participants, and literary discussions were attended by 183 participants.
“There was also sasolahan or a stage appreciation for Balinese literature featuring performances by 12 arts groups, child-friendly learning spaces attended by 525 primary school students, reka aksara or an exhibition promoting Balinese language with 1,429 visitors,” said Bagus Alit.
Subsequently, an utsawa or festival for typing Balinese script with a Balinese script keyboard was participated in by 150 secondary school students, conservation of 1,500 lontar manuscripts, and the bestowal of the Bali Kerthi Nugraha Mahottama award.
Of 716 villages and sub-districts across Bali, 671 had implemented Balinese Language Month, whilst 45 had not. These comprised nine villages and sub-districts in Badung, seven in Jembrana, eleven in Bangli, eleven in Buleleng, six in Gianyar, and one in Klungkung.
“Those that did not implement the programme either had budget constraints, newly established customary villages, or were conducting religious ceremonies,” he said.
In educational institutions, 498 secondary schools implemented Balinese Language Month, whilst three did not. All sixteen special education schools conducted the activities.