During the pandemic, the Bali Jani Festival or Now Bali Festival (NBF) III is still being held. The 2021 event has the theme Jenggala Sutra: Susastra Wana Kerthi, meaning the Universe of the Latest Creativity in Harmony with the Self and Earth in the Freedom of New Creation. This annual event lasts for two weeks (October 23 to November 6). The art agenda to be presented is innovative, modern and contemporary, so that it can stimulate the enthusiasm of the Balinese Millennial Generation in performing art creativity.

The materials of NBF 2021 consists of Mepeed Anyar (carnival), Pawimba (competition), Adilanggo (performance), Utsawa (parade), Megarupa (exhibition), Timbang Rasa (rehearsal), Beranda Pustaka (book fair) and Bali Jani Nugraha award. “For the implementation later, it is progressive. This means that adjusting to the situation during the pandemic where it can be carried out both online and offline,” said the Head of the Bali Culture Service, Prof. Dr. I Gede Arya Sugiartha, at his office recently.

Prof. Arya Sugiartha, who at that time was accompanied by the curator team of NBF 2021 consisting of IB Martinaya, Dr. I Komang Sudirga and Warih Wisatsana, explained that if the level of Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM) has indeed decreased, it is possible to bring in viewers with tight restrictions and implementation rules, one of which is the obligation to download the PeduliLindungi application. “NBF III presents 5 concepts, namely exploration, experimentation, cross-border, contextual and collaboration,” he explained.

The exploration concept presents innovative artistic achievements based on personal creativity, while exploration ideas and subjects remain based on local traditions or values. The concept of experimentation as an achievement of contemporary art is based on creativity and experimentation of the media. Then, cross-border concept requires the achievement of new art based on media transfer, multimedia and transmedia. Contextual concept requires the achievement of new art thematically and in terms of style that is relevant to the theme and time of the NBF. Meanwhile, the collaboration concept refers to the process and achievement of modern or contemporary art based on synergy and collaboration between Balinese or regional and foreign artists.

This former Chancellor of the Indonesia Institute of the Arts (ISI) Denpasar stated that apart from being an educational space, the NBF will be a nursery for young Balinese to grow and develop as great creators in the field of contemporary or modern art. “It is different from the Bali Arts Festival (BAF), which is a stage for traditional, classical and folk arts. Meanwhile, the NBF focuses on contemporary arts close to the realities of life being experienced by the Millennial Generation. Thus, Bali now has two major art festivals with different concepts and styles, namely the BAF and NBF,” he said.

NBF initiated by the Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, is a real embodiment of the vision of Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali, through the Planned Universal Development Pattern towards a New Era of Bali. This vision implies maintaining the sanctity and harmony of Bali’s nature and its contents in order to realize a prosperous and happy Balinese life physically and psychically. That is why this year’s NBF theme is deliberately expanded and framed flexibly, so that artists can easily implement it in their works. The NBF event has been initiated by the Bali Provincial Government through the Bali Culture Office since 2019. In 2020, the NBF II was presented streaming, online and offline due to the pandemic condition. (BTN/015)