Badung's Commitment to Balinese Culture and Sustainable Tourism Development

TheIndonesia.co - The Badung Regency Government in Bali has continuously shown its commitment to preserving Balinese traditions and culture, exemplified by its support for the Ogoh-Ogoh competition in Kapal Traditional Village.

"We fully support activities like this, which are integral to cultural preservation and strengthening the cultural identity of Badung's community," said Badung Regent I Wayan Adi Arnawa in a statement received in Mangupura on Tuesday.

According to Antara News Agency, the Badung Regent emphasized that events like the Ogoh-Ogoh competition are not just forms of artistic expression but also reflect the spirit of mutual cooperation, youthful creativity, and the manifestation of local values that remain relevant despite the changing times.

"This event is not merely a performance art; it is a tangible implementation of the Tri Hita Karana philosophy in community life," he added.

Adi Arnawa explained that with the full backing of the Badung government, the competition has become a successful model of integrating spiritual, social, and cultural values into a sustainable event.

At the event, the Badung Regency Government provided creative funding assistance of IDR 30 million for the Ogoh-Ogoh competition and IDR 2 million for each participant, with a total of 17 Sekaa Teruna Teruni (youth groups) involved.

"We hope this event will inspire other traditional villages to rekindle the spirit of Nyepi as a moment for self-reflection, social harmony, and the revival of local culture," he stated.

I Ketut Sudarsana, the head of Kapal Traditional Village, added that the Ogoh-Ogoh competition serves not only as a platform for artistic competition but also as a character-building tool for the younger generation.

"Additionally, this event provides a space for intergenerational dialogue to strengthen social solidarity, encourage collaboration across banjars, and reinforce trust in the traditional system as the main pillar of Balinese identity," he said.

"We aim for this activity to keep youth away from negative influences, such as free associations and technology misuse, while enhancing their awareness of the importance of preserving cultural heritage," he concluded.

Furthermore, the Badung Regency Government has called on the residents of Sulangai Village to maintain the safety, comfort, and orderliness of the area, which is also a popular tourist destination.

"Badung's economy heavily relies on tourism, and the more villages that develop into tourist destinations, the higher the potential for visits to Badung," said Regent I Wayan Adi Arnawa in Mangupura on Tuesday.

He pointed out that increasing tourist visits to Badung would directly contribute to the region's increased local revenue, enabling the government to expand its funding for the welfare of the community.

The Regent also attended a religious ceremony, Pujawali Ngenteg Linggih, at Merajan Ageng Pasek Padang Subadra, Wanasari Banjar, Sulangai Traditional Village, organized by the local community.

As part of his support, the Regent presented a contribution of IDR 10 million to help fund the ceremony.

"We hope that through this event, we will continue to be blessed with health and prosperity, and that the universe will remain safe, especially since Bali's economy is largely driven by cultural tourism," he said.

Meanwhile, I Nyoman Sunarta, the head of Sulangai Village, expressed his gratitude to the Badung Government for its support.

"We are thankful for the assistance provided and hope that the government's programs, which always aim to alleviate the community's burdens, will continue to thrive," he said.