Then come Ramayana dancers, Calonarang performers, and a long row of exquisitely dressed women carrying tall, meru-shaped offerings. And such a procession goes on hour after hour, group after group, district after district. Each year, the opening procession of Bali Art Festival performs different lines of performing arts, depending on the decided theme, so repeat visitors will not watch the same street performance in any year.

Welcome to the opening of the 24th Bali Arts Festival. The brainchild of the Academy of Arts Denpasar (STSI), the festival is a one-month fantasia of dance, music exhibition and culture.

This year, the festival falls from 22 June to 20 July. During this period, Bali reminds it self and the world that it still hosts an admirable, unique culture. For this visitor, this is an event not to be missed. Where else indeed put up such a show with such a tiny budget - in the range of a few hundred thousand US dollars. This speaks for the dedication of the thousands of villagers and students involved in its preparation, who participate simply for the sake of pride in their village of origin and art association.