Tourism Minister Appreciates ISI Bali's Efforts to Strengthen Tourism through Arts and Culture
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana has appreciated the initiative of the Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) Bali in strengthening cultural-based tourism appeal through an event titled “Kalangan Widya Mahardika V”.
The Tourism Minister emphasised that arts, design, and culture are closely intertwined with Bali’s tourism ecosystem.
“The Kalangan Widya Mahardika V event and the solo exhibition of Professor Wayan Kun Adnyana contribute to bolstering Bali’s appeal as a world-class cultural tourism destination. This is an initiative worthy of appreciation,” Widiyanti stated in an official release received in Jakarta on Thursday.
The Minister explained that the Indonesia Tourism Outlook 2025–2026, prepared jointly with Bank Indonesia and the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, identifies six main tourism trends, one of which is cultural immersion.
This trend indicates that tourists, particularly international visitors, are increasingly prioritising social interactions and cross-cultural learning as essential parts of their travel experiences.
Kalangan Widya Mahardika V is the fifth edition of a series of art exhibitions and events at ISI Bali, bringing together students, lecturers, and art practitioners, and running for one week.
The event is part of Sadhamasa Widya Mahardika or the Education Month.
One of the main highlights is a colossal intermedia performance themed “Kirtya–Jnana–Kawya”, a collaborative work by students and lecturers that combines dance, light shows, electrical elements, animation, as well as gamelan and orchestral music accompaniment.
Additionally, the event features the Pharama Paraga exhibition, a solo retrospective showcasing 20 years of contemporary painting by Prof. Dr. Wayan Kun Adnyana.
This exhibition displays 88 works that document the artistic evolution, from metaphorical biographical figures to explorations of new abstract forms.
On this occasion, Tourism Minister Widiyanti also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Politeknik Pariwisata Bali and Institut Seni Indonesia Bali to strengthen the Tri Dharma of Higher Education.
The Minister hopes this collaboration will contribute to improving the quality of human resources in Indonesia’s tourism sector.
“Tourism is closely linked to culture. Therefore, collaborations like this are very important for enhancing the quality of national tourism human resources,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Rector of ISI Bali, I Wayan Adnyana, explained that “Kalangan” is interpreted as a space for actualisation, while “Mahardika” means freedom achieved through earnest climbing processes.
Thus, the event is not only oriented towards individual achievements but also towards greater ideals for the institution, the nation, and humanity.
“Thank you to all parties present. With sincere intentions, we dedicate ISI Bali’s earnestness to Indonesia,” said I Wayan Adnyana.