Denpasar (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo will release an arrow to mark the opening of the 40th Bali Arts Parade (PKB) in front of the Bali People`s Struggle Monument, Denpasar Province, on June 23, 2018.

"There will be a red rose on the end of the arrow, as a symbol of fire, according to the theme of this year`s PKB, Teja Dharmaning Kauripan: Fire of Spirit of Creation," Head of Bali Provincial Cultural Office Dewa Putu Beratha stated here on Friday.

Furthermore, there are also the "ketug bumi" of the Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) od Denpasar, as well as accompanying "Siwa Nataraja Dance" as a sign of the symbol of the 40th Bali Art Festival Parade.

The PKB parade that was originally to be started by President Jokowi at 02:00 p.m. may be delayed until 03:00 p.m. local time because of the President?s schedule.

In addition to the performance of ISI of Denpasar, there will be 17 parade participants, including representatives of the Bali Provincial Government, nine districts and cities in Bali, the Marching Band of Udayana University, the Marching Band of Warmadewa University, Guangxi Provincial Government of China, Institute of Indonesian Culture Art (ISBI) of Papua, Basundari Studio of Japan, the Japanese Consulate and the Lesser Sunda Cooperation Forum.

The Bali Provincial Government will begin the parade by displaying Gong Suling gamelan. After that, it will be proceed with rows of banners, such as"kober" and "tedung" rows.

Of note, this line of banners will reflect an evolution of banners for religious rituals, until they became a new form, in accordance with the aesthetics of the present. The row of banners is accompanied by the Bebarongan gamelan.

In the middle of the line will be displayed Jegeg Bagus Bali. Jegeg Bagus Bali are Balinese youngsters who have been selected through the election of Jegeg Bagus Bali.

In the final part, the Ambassador of Bali Provincial Government will present the work of "Smaradahana", which is from kakawin Smaradahana by Mpu Dharmadja.

"The Bali Provincial Government has also set up a special ornamental car that will be ridden by President Joko Widodo and Mrs. Iriana Jokowi to travel in after the PKB parade," he said.

The ornamental car will be based upon the concept of a high-sized "bale bengong" in the castle or kingdoms in Bali.

"In front of the kingdoms in Bali, there is usually a market. So, the king sees his people in the market from the `bale bengong`," he added. *** 4 ***

Reporter: Ni Luh Rhismawati
Editor: Andi Abdussalam
Copyright © ANTARA 2018