Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA News) - Balinese dancers from Badung region in Bali, have been invited by International Art and Culture Children Festival Foundation to perform traditional Balinese dances in Tokyo, Japan.

The invitation was delivered to Regent of Badung Anak Agung Gde Agung by the chief of Bualu Village I Ketut Rundeg and Head of Japan International Art and Culture Children Festival Foundation Kimura Naomi at Mangupra in Bali, Monday.

Several years living in Japan, Rundeg said he will carry ten children from Bualu Indegenous Village.

"We will depart for Japan early in July this year," he said.

Rundeg noted those ten children have mastered three basic dances that will be performed in Japan namely Puspanjali dance, Baris dance and Sekar Jepun dance.

Regent Agung said this opportunity would strengthen partnership between Indonesia, especially Bali, and Japan.

"The event will also give a positive impact on Bali tourism, especially in the Badung region," he said.

According to Agung, Japan is one of the major markets of Bali tourism, but since the tsunami hitting the Sakura Country, the number of Japanese visitors to Bali has been declining.

"On the commemoration of one year anniversary of the tsunami last March, we attended prayer events at Japanese General Consulate in Denpasar and in Luhur Pucak Mangu Temple," he said.

On behalf of the people of Badung, Agung advised the dance group to take care of their health so they can perform maximally to promote Bali in Japan.

"I wish they will not only perform in Japan, but also in other countries as well," he said

(A060)

Editor: Ade P Marboen
Copyright © ANTARA 2012