PKB-Style Cultural Parade Prepared for Singaraja City's Anniversary

The Buleleng Regency Government is preparing a Cultural Parade as one of the main series of events for the 422nd anniversary of Singaraja City. The concept for this year’s parade is designed to resemble the procession format used at the Pesta Kesenian Bali (PKB), showcasing the cultural wealth of nine subdistricts in Buleleng. Head of the Buleleng Department of Culture and Tourism (Kadispar) I Nyoman Wisandika said the cultural parade is currently in preparation and will involve all nine subdistricts, from Gerokgak to Tejakula. ‘This cultural parade is already in progress. Nine subdistricts have been assigned their roles, from Gerokgak to Tejakula. So it will not be just from the west,’ he said. He explained that each subdistrict will present episodes tracing the life of Buleleng’s founder, Ki Barak Panji Sakti, from birth to the height of his prominence. The peak of Panji Sakti’s glory will be portrayed by the Buleleng district. Before the parade begins, the organisers will present an opening fragmentary performance by Sanggar Seni Manik Utara. The performance also recounts Panji Sakti’s journey, in line with this year’s HUT Singaraja City theme, Kota Bhinneka Santih Jagadita. In the parade, participants will perform in a PKB-style format. The procession will begin with a banner bearer, followed by participants in traditional dress, gebogan, and finally baleganjur. The baleganjur segments will present each episode of Panji Sakti’s journey, the organisers say. The parade is planned for 30 March 2026 as the climax of the Singaraja City anniversary celebrations. The parade will start at around 13:00 WITA, with the starting point at the Singaraja Water Fountain area and end at the former Buleleng Port area. Participants will line up from the south with several designated transit points, such as SD Negeri 1 Banjar Jawa, the Office of the Regional Archives and Library, and the official residence of the Speaker of the Buleleng DPRD. ‘The duration of each subdistrict’s performance is about 15 minutes. The route runs from the water fountain to the former Buleleng Port, so the performances will be on the street, not in a field,’ Wisandika said. On the same day, the programme will begin with a morning flag-raising ceremony for the Singaraja City anniversary, followed by the cultural parade in the afternoon. The peak celebrations will be held at night in Taman Bung Karno.