NUSA DUA FIESTA 2009 - A GREEN TOURISM CELEBRATION

NUSA DUA FIESTA 2009 - A GREEN TOURISM CELEBRATION

This year, from the 17th to the 21st October, Nusa Dua celebrates the 13th edition of its famous Art Festival, organized by BTDC (Bali Tourism Development Corporation), supported by all the hotels in Nusa Dua area. During 5 days, the visitors will enjoy some performances of Art, Culture, Sport and Exhibition and participate to Fun Games. The specific theme, “Green Tourism”, recalls us the importance of the protection and the preservation of the overall environment to keep the best impact ever to continue to make of Bali a pleasant and clean Tourism Destination. Every year, this event welcomes thousand visitors from all around the world on the beautiful peninsula in Nusa Dua. This event is one of the most important in Bali, gathering together numerous artists from each provinces of Indonesia.
Place: Nusa Dua, 15min. driving from Ngurah Rai International Airport
Date: 17 – 21 October 2009

sourc: http://www.balinusaduaresort.com/

SANUR VILLAGE FESTIVAL 2009

THE FOURTH INSATALLMENT OF SANUR VILLAGE FESTIVAL 2009
(12-16 AUGUST 2009)

Initiated by community of Sanur through the Sanur Development Foundation, at first Sanur Village Festival is held to revive tourism sector and to attract more tourists to visit this area and the island of Bali . Famous for its tranquility Sanur is the first tourist destination in Bali and the only resort type tourist object owned by the Denpasar municipality.

Since the first celebration of the Sanur Village Festival, this event has been listed at Bali 's event calendar as one of the annual tourist attractions. The fourth Sanur Village Festival is set for the 12 to 16 of August 2009 at the same venue with full of fun activities in five days festivity. This year theme is “Marine Life” in line with the extension of our national program Visit Indonesia Year 2009. Cultural activities will still dominate this festival such as traditional performances, parade, music, collaboration show, water sports and food festival as our main attraction, also not to forget our green program under water festival with its coral reef plantation. We invite everyone to participate and enjoy an unforgettable experience in the serene beauty of Sanur.

sourch : http://www.gotosanur.com/

INTERNATIONAL BALI 10K - 2009

INTERNATIONAL BALI 10K - 2009

INTERNATIONAL BALI 10K is a program of Bali Provincial Government, organized by Bali Government Tourism Office in cooperation with Ministry Cultural and tourism of Indonesia , City/Regency Government, PB PASI, PASI Provincial Office with Matahari Convex as its Official Event Organizer.

INTERNATIONAL BALI 10K will be held on:
Day : Sunday
Date : 09 th August 2009
Time : 06.00 a.m. Central Indonesia Time
(Waktu Indonesia Tengah/WITA)
Start and finish point are located at Monumen Perjuangan Rakyat Bali, Renon, Denpasar.

RACE MILESTONES & REGULATIONS

INTERNATIONAL BALI 10K participants are divided into 4 (four) categories:

International Male and Female Elite Top Athletes' category
National Male and Female Top Athletes' category
General Public category (college students, employees, Indonesian Armed Forces, and the Indonesian Police)
High school students' category

The minimum age of a participant at the time of race is 15 years (proven with copy of Birth Certificate or Student's Identification card) Drinking posts are available at KM 5, with Water Shower posts available at KM 7. The Organizing Committee provides medical facilities during the race, all the way from Start to Finish. The traveling time is visible for every participant based on the mobile time recording device mounted on cars/vehicles facing the runners.
Winners of respective categories will receive a cash prize according to the prizes list.
All participants (top international and national athletes are exemptions) are recommended to wear a T-shirt provided by the Organizing Committee at the time of registration. Registrations require all registrars to complete in full all required details on the Registration form. Participants are also required to wear their individual chest number upon entering the race grounds.

INTERNATIONAL BALI 10K participants with no exemptions are required to re-register at the Secretariat post upon arrival to the race track area. Final registration at this point are significant, so as to mark the participant's presence at the Start point. Failure to re-register may result in disqualification of the race upon reaching Finish point.
The Organizing Committee will also provide door prizes. Distributions of door prizes are attendance-based where participants' chest number is recorded on portion of card prize draw - this only for participants who finished and completed the race, and have reached the Finish point.
Information and registration are available on website http://www.bali10k.com/

31st BALI ARTS FESTIVAL 2009

31st BALI ARTS FESTIVAL 13 JUNE - 11 JULY 2009

The History of the Bali Arts Festival

When tourism took off after 1965, the Balinese insisted that it followed cultural guidelines: if tourism was to be accepted, it was to be a cultural tourism, or "pariwisata budaya".
As the Balinese put it: "Tourism should be for Bali instead of Bali for tourism." In time, this idea become national policy, as part of a larger revping of regional cultures for national purposes. The policy owes much to the former Director General of Culture (1968-1978) and Governor of Bali (1978-1988), Ida Bagus Mantra, an Indian-educed Balinese. It led, on the one side, to the creation of enclave resorts such as Nusa Dua to limit the direct impact of tourism, and on the other, to a long haul cultural policy aimed at nurturing and preserving the traditional agrarian culture while adapting it to the demands of modernity, and in particular of "cultural tourism".
At the village level, local music groups, dances and other cultural events were inventoried, then supported by a series of contests at the district and regency level. The ensuing competition energized the cultural life of villages, whose "young blood" was already being drained to the city by the process of economic change and urbanization.

Schools of dance and art were created, in particular the Kokar conservatory and the STSI School of Dance and Music. Beside research, these schools replaced the traditional master/disciple relationship by modern methods of teaching; standardized the dance movements, produced new types of Balinese dances for tourism and modern village entertainment. Most important, it enabled former students to return to the villages as teachers, where they diffused, beside the creed of cultural resilience and renewal, new dances and standardized versions of old ones.
Many of the performances are held at the amphitheater which can hold up to 6,000 spectators, in a temple-like stage.

Each year, the Bali Arts Festival, beside the fed classical dances of the island, such as the legong, gambuh, kecak, barong, baris, mask dances and the like, is based on the theme around which new "dance choreography" is produced and old village dances and activities revived. Over the years, the whole range of classical Balinese stories - Ramayana, Mahabharata, Sutasoma, Panji - have thus been turned into "colossal" Sendratari Ballets.

The main challenge to the Arts Festival is obviously economic in nature. As village life is increasingly feeling the strains of monetary considerations, dancers, musicians and others cannot be expected to continue participating simply for the sake and the pleasure of it. As costs soar, new sources of financing have to be found. The obvious answer is the private sector and in particular the tourism industry. The greater task then is to convince the hotels, travel agencies and tourist guides to be more participatory in the Arts Festival rather than to their own sponsored events.

Considering the pride the Balinese have in their culture, and the adaptability and dynism they have always demonstrated, this little hurdle can be overcome. Trust the Balinese. They will eventually succeed to transform their tradition into a modern, Balinese culture of their own.

LADY PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN

BALI SoDA (Bali School of Dramatic Art) AND ASTON DENPASAR HOTEL AND CONVENTION CENTER

PRESENT

LADY PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN on 12-14 JUNE 2009

Bali School of Dramatic Art is an accredited higher learning institute for performance art. esthablished in 2007 it has quickly grown to be known as a school for excellent in drama, musical theatre and classical ballet. Bali SoDA is the sole provider and representative of LAMDA (The London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art)

The london Academy of Music & Dramatic Art is one of the oldest drama institute in the world. LAMDA guides Bali SoDA students making sure they are given the best education in performance art under the guidance. Student the age of 5 years old are assessedeach year by LAMDA examiners and qualification gain at Bali SoDA serve them trhoughtout their lives.

LAMDA courses at Bali SoDA from pat of the QCA ( Qualification Curriculum Admissions) and young students from the age of 1 years old qualify to gain UCAS (University College, Adminissions Service). UCAS points are essential to gainning entrance into universities and colleges. Acredited performance education at an international standard is only available at Bali SoDA. Our drama faculty are actors, director, and stage managers, from top dramaacademies in the UK, South Africa, Canada and U.S.A.

Bali SoDA and Aston Denpasar Hotel and Convention center present the LADY PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN on 12-14 June 2009. Part of the ticket sale will donated to UNICEF program for children. For more detail please contact Aston Denpasar Hotel and Convention Center at 62 361 411 999 E: salesmanager2@astondenpasar.com or prmanager@astondenpasar.com and BALI SoDa at 62 361 434 701, E : info@balisoda.com

Please don't miss it..........

VALENTINE DAY THE APPRECIATION OF LOVE

VALENTINE DAY THE APPRECIATIONs OF LOVE......

Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day is an occasion celebrated on February 14 by many people throughout the world. In the West, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

The day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines." Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards.[1] The sending of Valentines was a fashion in nineteenth-century Great Britain, and, in 1847, Esther Howland developed a successful business in her Worcester, Massachusetts home with hand-made Valentine cards based on British models. The popularity of Valentine cards in 19th-century America was a harbinger of the future commercialization of holidays in the United States.[2]

The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, behind Christmas. The association estimates that, in the US, men spend in average twice as much money as women.[3]. http://www.en.wikipedia.com/

BALI TRADE FAIR 2009

BALI TRADE FAIR 2009
(Wide Range of Local Products on Offer During Bali's Annual Trade Fair)

Running from January 23 until February 15, 2009, Bali Trade Fare 2009 on Jalan Hayam Wuruk in downtown Denpasar is an opportunity for local companies to promote new products to local consumers and island visitors.Household appliances, vehicles, and a whole range of items intended to enhance the quality of daily life of Balinese consumers will be on display and offered at special prices for the duration of the exhibition.Daily musical live entertainment and door prizes that include new Honda motorcycles will are also be presented each day as a further inducement for the public to attend.The Fair is open each day until February 15, 2009 from afternoon until evening. http://www.balidiscovery.com/

WORLD JUNIOR WUSHU TOURNAMENT - BALI

BALI TO HOST WORLD JUNIOR WUSHU TOURNAMENT

Athletes from 54 countries are expected in Bali from December 7-14, 2008, to participate in a world junior wushu event.Wushu is a full-contact sport based on traditional Chinese martial arts. Established as a distinct sport in the People's Republic of China in 1949, the first world championships were held in 1991. Practiced in two distinct disciplines of taolu and sanshou, the former is comprised of gymnastic exercises employing aerial kicks while the latter is the full contact combat version of the sport.The Bali junior championships will offer medals in 22 separate events and act as a prelude to further competition at the Southeast Asia Games in Laos in 2009 and the Asian Games in Guangzhou in 2010.Indonesia will field 8 sanshou and 11 taulo participants in the Bali tournament.

A BALI CONCERT FOR PEACE 2008

A BALI CONCERT FOR PEACE

(December 4, 2008)

Featuring the classical opera works, Broadway, Yuletide standards and Indonesian songs - a group of 5 Bali-based singers, a children's choir and renowned mezzo-soprano Sarah Sweeting will appear on stage performing solos, duets, ensembles and choral works in what promises to be a memorable musical evening.Sarah SweetingBorn in England, Sarah Sweeting studied at the London College of Music where she won the Director's Prize for Opera. She has performed as a soloist at Westminster Central Hall and on the BBC, London's West End theatres, Crystal Clear Opera, Lyric Opera Dublin, Opera Interludes, First Act Opera. London City Opera, Opera Kernow and the Holders International Musical Festival.Sweeting has performed the title role in Carmen at the London Opera Festival. This was followed by performances at The Royal Opera, Covent Garden, and the Linbury Theatre. She then joined the Carl Rosa Opera Company.Resident in Sydney since 2006, Sarah Sweeting has performed the roles of Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus for both Opera Queensland and Co*Opera, for whom she also sang Suzuki in Madama Butterfly.Ms. Sweeting will be making her special guest appearance in Bali in a program of music featuring five accomplished local singers:● Ida Ayu Sri Aryani Rosantiwati - "Yani"● Ni Putu "Laksmi" Dewi● Hartanto Widagdo - "Tanto"● "Dana" Septian ● Wijaya Kurniawan - "Jaya" for booking at http://www.balidiscovery.com/

BALAWAN PERFOMANCE IN ACIIA CONFERENCE 2008 BALI

BALAWAN PERFORMANCE IN ACIIA CONFERENCE WELCOME DINNER PARTY 2008 BALI

The 2008 Asian Conference on Internal Auditing with the theme “Evaluating and Improving the Effectiveness on Risk Management, Control and Governance Process"held at Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center, Bali, on 3-4 November 2008. On the welcome dinner Party 03 November 2008, Balawan guitarist from Bali give the best perfomance to all meeting participant.

Here with the Balawan profile: Wayan Balawan was born in Bali - Indonesia September 1973, He Grew up amongst Balinese gamelan music. At age of 8 he began to play guitar and start his first band in the age of 14. He can plays rock guitar virtuoso style like Yngwie Malmsteen since he was 10 years old.In 1993 he went to Sydney and got a scholarship to study jazz at the Australian Institute Of Music for two years. He went back to Bali in 1997 and form Batuan Ethnic Fusion (A mix of Balinese Gamelan and Jazz) and released one album in 1999.He is versatile guitarist that play many styles of music, and a great solo performer. He has developed the ability to play a special and difficult form of tapping which involves chord and bass work with the left hand and tapped melody with the right hand, which resembles piano playing.Balawan is now considered as one of famous favourite jazz guitarist in Indonesia and acclaimed by Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine as 1 of 36 Indonesian Guitar Heroes.

1st ASIAN BEACH GAMES CLOSING CEREMONY

CLOSING CEREMONY CELEBRATION MARK END TO HISTORIC GAMES

SANUR, Bali, Indonesia – The 1st Asian Beach Games conclude in Bali, Indonesia, on Sunday, 26 October 2008, with a closing celebration meant to “Inspire the World” one last time. The Closing Ceremony will be held at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana, a monumental cultural park in Nusa Dua, beginning at 20:00 pm.Highlights of the Ceremony include a collborative presentation of Indonesian traditional dances and songs from the five major islands and Bali performed in contemporary traditional style by 150 dancers and musicians. Entertainers from Oman, the host of the next Asian Beach Games, will also peform in the Ceremony.Indonesian Vice President Muhammad Yusuf Kalla, one of several distinguished guests expected to attend, will address the audience on the success of the historic Games. Also scheduled to speak are Aburizal Bakrie, chairman of the Bali Asian Beach Games Organizing Committee (BABGOC), and H.H. Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Sabah, president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).After the handover of the Asian Beach Games’ torch from Indonesia to Oman, which welcomes the Games to Muscat in 2010, the unforgettable nine days of beachside competition in Bali will officially come to an end with the extinguishing of the flame. http://www.bali2008.com/

FAREWELL BALI 1ST ASIAN BEACH GAMES 2008

FARWELL BALI WELCOME MUSCAT

DENPASAR (10/27/08) - Asia and the globe have witnessed another history in the world of sports. Asian Beach Games 2008, the first of its kind, was successfully held in Bali, one of the greatest places on earth. The games was closed last night with another spectacular display of Bali with its one of a kind and harmonious beauty, culture and nature.

The athletes and officials have completed their tasks of performing at their very best to victory. The volunteers have returned, hopefully with big smile on their faces as they are another essential part of this Asian history and the world's heritage in sports. The spectators have also done cheering for their favorite teams. The journalists have performed all their duties of sounding the event all accross the country and beyond. Bali has returned to its previous days, full of new beginnings and expectations to explore.

Two years from now, we will witness another Asian Beach Games. We will witness all the spirit and battle to be the best by defeating the best. We will witness all the joy, festive, cheers, struggle, laughter, even tears as Asia gathers once more in tight yet friendly competitions. We will witness Asian Beach Games II Muscat, Oman.
The Bali Asian Beach Games 2008 has ended, but hopefully, the memory stays here to always inspire the world. (bali2008.com)

BABGOC RECEIVED OCA AWARD - 1ST ASIAN BEACH GAMES BALI 2008

BABGOC RECEIVED OCA AWARD - 1ST ASIAN BEACH GAMES BALI 2008

SANUR (10/22/08) - The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) presented the Award of Merit to Rita Subowo, BABGOC Director General, and Aburizal Bakrie, BABGOC Chairman, during the 27th OCA General Assembly at the Westin Resort in Nusa Dua, Bali Tuesday, 21 October 2008.The award is for Indonesia's great achievement in organizing the 1st Asian Beach Games. OCA especially praised the highly entertaining and energetic opening ceremony on 18 October. Indonesia's success, according to Rita, is expected to inspire the world to host the next games; Muscat (Oman) 2010, then Hayang City (China) 2012, Boracay (Philipines) 2014 and Phuket (Thailand) 2016.In honor of the achievement, the executive board meeting of OCA decided that the flame for the games torch will always be taken from Mrapen, Central Java. The torch will then be relayed from Java to Bali and then to the host country. “The forum agreed and the decision was made during the General Assembly,” Rita said.Also scheduled on the agenda are presentations by delegations from the four candidate cities to host the 2016 Olympics and Paralympic Games: Chicago, Madrid, Rio, Tokyo. Followed by the presentation of the London Organizing Committee of Olympic Games and Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games.Officials at the meeting included OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, IOC President Jacques Rogge, IOC members around the world and representatives from sports federations of the 45 countries of the OCA. (http://www.bali2008.com/)

INDONESIAN WOMEN'S DRAGON BOAT WON IN 1ST ASIAN BEACH GAMES

INDONESIAN WOMEN'S DRAGON BOAT TEAM WON GOLD - 1ST ASIAN BEACH GAMES BALI 2008

WEST SUWUNG (10/22/08) - On the final competition, Indonesian women’s dragon boat team won gold medal in 500 meter class. The 21-member team of Sarce Aronggaer and team raced in round 4. They finished first in 2 minutes 24.55 seconds.
Silver medal went to China with time record of 2 minutes 28.13 seconds and Bronze won by Thailand (2:32,60).With that result, Indonesia has earned three gold medals and one silver medal in dragon boating. Indonesian dragon-boat team coach, Muhammad Suryadi, said that the women’s team victory in 500 meter class had been predicted before.

"Our women’s team targeted to win gold in 1.000 meter and 500 meter class. While in 250 meter class the chance is fifty-fifty," he said. According to Suryadi, Indonesian dragon boat women’s team is cored by Canoe and Kayak gold medalists in SEA Games and The National Games.
"Our women’s team is strong and experienced. So, there is no problem when they are in a team," he said. Meanwhile, former Navy Chief of Staff Ahmad Sutjipto stated that the success of Indonesian boat team made him proud. He indicated that both men's and women's dragon boat teams would be nurtured even more.

"They would be in continuous trainings for the next Asian Games 2010 in Guangzhou, China," he said. Sutjipto is optimistic that with hard trainings they would be able to win more gold medals in the next Asian Games. (http://www.bali2008.com/)

ASIAN BEACH GAMES - TAX FREE

TAX FREE FOR 1st ASIAN BEACH GAMES ADVERTISMENTS(Bali 16-28 Oct 2008)

Badung Regent Deputy, Sudikerta, who is also in the organizing committee of Bali Asian Beach Games expects the parties gaining benefits from the event such as hotels and tourism business to provide support to the Games.

The local authorities has also provide free tax service for any advertisement related to Asian Beach Games. "Asian Beach Games will promote Indonesia as Indonesia promotes Asian Beach Games. In the end, Bali will be the in the spot light, enhancing the tourism and economy for the locals," Sudikerta said.

Asian Beach Games will compete 19 sports disciplines and all the venues will be spread along Bali. Nine venues will be in Denpasar and other ten will be in Badung. Some of the venues are in famous tourism spots in Bali like Sanur beach, Mertasari beach, Serangan island, and Jimbaran.

source : http://www.bali2008.com/

ASIAN BEACH GAMES - TICKETS AND PRICING

KNOW YOUR 1st ASIAN BEACH GAMES (ABG) TICKETS AND PRICING ???

(Bali 16-28 Oct 2008)

As the Asian Beach Games closes, the information on tickets and pricing is essential. Here is some information for you about the tickets and pricing on Asian Beach Games. There are two types of tickets that you can purchase.

The first is the DAY PASS. With this ticket, you can gain access to all sports on 1 day without access to The Opening & Closing Ceremony. You can have this ticket for Rp 20,000,- per ticket.
The second is GAMES PASS. This ticket allows you to gain access to all sports over 9 day period, still without the access to The Opening and Closing Ceremony with only Rp 50,000,- per ticket.

The admission on the tickets is on first-come first-serve basis. For those with children, they can bring their 2 – 12 year olds for half the ticket price. Source from : http://www.bali2008.com/

ASIAN BEACH GAMES 2008 - VENUE

1st ASIAN BEACH GAMES 2008 - SPORT VENUE

(Bali 16-28 Oct 2008)

Kuta Beach Cluster (CKB)
Body Building

Dragon Boat

RacingSurfing

Nusa Dua - Benoa Cluster (CNB)
Water Polo

Beach Kabaddi

Beach Basketball

Beach Wrestling

Beach Pencak Silat

Jetski Sport

Paragliding

Woodball

Sanur Beach Cluster (CSB)
Beach Volleyball

Beach Sepaktakraw

Beach Handball

Beach Soccer

Marathon Swimming

Triathlon

Serangan Island Cluster (CSI)
Sailing

Windsurfing

http://www.bali2008.com/

1ST ASIAN BEACH GAMES - BALI 2008

THE 1 st ASIAN BEACH GAMES 18-26 OCTOBER 2008

(Government’s Full Supports on ABG)

The government will support Asian Beach Games by providing full funding to cover the rest of the cost needed for completion. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had instructed the local government to give full support to this historical event in Indonesia as said by The Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare, Aburizal Bakrie during an interview in Jakarta. The Asian Beach Games is the first ever of its kind and will be the second largest after Asian Games IV in 1962 in Jakarta. The cost to organize Asian Beach Games 2008 reaches Rp2OO billion and the president will inspect directly al the preparation in Bali on October 10th or 11th. Aburizal further adedd that the president has instructed related ministries and regencies in Bali to provide the support needed for the Games, including the security and services for all head of states coming to Bali during the event. More detail please visit : http://www.bali2008.com/

NUSA DUA FIESTA 2008 - UP NEXT.....

Fiesta 2008 lifestyle
Come and Enjoy ...The Nusa Dua Life style ...

(10-14 October 2008)

ORIGINALLY called the Nusa Dua Festival; this event was first established in 1993. The Nusa Dua Fiesta 2008 will mark the 12th annual Festival of Nusa Dua.
For two consecutive years (1994 – 1995) there was no Festival held in Nusa Dua. But in 1996, under the guidance of Mr. Anak Agung Gede Rai – the following President Director of BTDC, the annual Nusa Dua Festival was restarted again. This Annual Events keep continues and has been improved to date under the leadership of Mr. I Made Mandra, the current President Director of BTDC, Nusa Dua.

In consequence of various disasters, BTDC as Civil Organization spotlight in Tourism Industry representing best alternative to return the Image of Bali (Recovery Bali) as well to promote the Indonesia Culture in general and Bali to the world.

In 2007, BTDC has taken the initiative to revamp the image of the Nusa Dua Festival and re-brand it under the name of ‘Nusa Dua Fiesta 2007’, which essentially is a reflection of the lifestyle of this charming. The new name of Nusa Dua Fiesta has brought the innovative and colourful yet exclusive event.

Nusa Dua Fiesta Mission OUR mission is to build a strong foundation by creating a highly organized and entertaining celebration program gathering the Nusa Dua Community together as a whole to promote and establish itself as Bali’s primary luxury destination and promoting Indonesia in General. all program and detail at : http://www.fiesta.balinusaduaresort.com/

KUTA KARNIVAL ANNOUNCES PROGRAM

Kuta Karnival Announces Program
Kuta Karnival – 9 Days of Fun on the Beach October 18-26, 2008.

(8/16/2008) Graha Wicaksana, the head of Community Development for Kuta, Bali's most famous beach area, has confirmed that the Kuta Karnival returns for nine days from October 18-26, 2008.Initially organized as a response to the Bali terrorist attack of October 2002, the event has now become a regular fixture on Bali's busy calendar of yearly events.

This year’s event has been given the motto of "A Celebration of Life" reflecting the nine days of traditional art performances, sunset dances on the beach, sports activities, and an entire bazaar of culinary kiosks located in tents up and down the beach.Following the first Kuta Karnival held in 2003, this will represent the sixth year for the festivities which now garners national and international press coverage.

The 2008 Karnival will also feature Balinese dance competitions, environmental conservation exhibits, a fun cycle show, seminars and a mass street parade. Based on past years, the Kuta Karnival is expected to draw more than 90,000 people.Some of the highlights of this year’s Kuta Karnival:

● Opening Ceremony - Held on the first day of the event, this day will be marked by a traditional Sekar Jagat dance and "Bali Paddle for Peace" in which 1,000 surfers will take to the ocean to spread flower pedals on the waves. 500 turtles will also be released back into the local seas.

● Food Festival - Tentatively set for day 8 and 9 of the Kuta Karnival more than 60 of Bali's best restaurants will set up kiosks along Kuta Beach. A children's play area will be in operation and live entertainment will be on offer from a central stage during these two days when more than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend.

● Tebs Shocking Games - Tebs will be offering samples of their beverages and a number of adventure activities including rope climbing and rope games offered under the careful supervision of the professionals from Tree Top Bedugul.

● Beach Volley Ball Competitions - Volley Ball competitions between both local and international teams at the competition arena on each day of the Kuta Karnival.

● Beach Soccer - Held on "Surf Family Day" informal soccer matches for all those who wish to take part.

● Sand Creations - School children will have the opportunity to compete for prizes as they display their ability to build sand-based sculptures.

● Life Guard Demonstrations - See life-saving techniques demonstrated by the Kuta Life Saving Association.

● Surfing and Body Building - Competitions to be held at “Halfway Point” on Kuta Beach.

● Skate Ramp - Bali's landmark skate arena located on the beach will allow everyone a chance to try their skill at skateboarding. Day 3 will be dedicated to a final skate boarding competition.

● Tug-of-War- See companies, clubs and community groups compete.

● Traditional Dance and Music - Scheduled for every afternoon of the Karnival - a different traditional Balinese dance each day.

● Surfer Girl Balinese Dance Competition - Traditional dance competition for children.

● Traditional Kite Flying - Scheduled for day 2, some 3,200 kites are targeted to participate. at the Bali Garden Hotel.

● Arts Attractions - Alumni from Bali's Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI) will perform during the Karnival.

● Bali Islamic Festival - Islamic-themed activities will be on offer at the Discovery Shopping Mall.

● Beach Stalls - Local merchants and organization offering knowledge and goods from their bazaar stalls stretched along the beach.

● Suzuki Music Festival - scheduled for each day of the Karnival, see new products and national bands perform.

● IndieFez XL - Sponsored by XL on the music stage, Day 5.

● Cardinal Awards - A competition between local bands and models. Winners will compete in Bandung, West Java in a national competition later in the year.

● Karnival Parade - Set for the last day of the Karnival in the parade will include decorated floats, roller skaters, cyclists, big bikes, antique cars, gamelan orchestras, and horse-drawn carts.

● Jalan Santai - A fun walks by more than 2,000 people through Kuta Beach.

For more information contact Mr. Graha Wicaksana at telephone ++62-(0)815575222. http://www.kutakarnival.com/ or http://www.gokuta.com/