Festival displays artistic works from Bali

DENPSAR (indo.com): As a culturally-rich tourism destination, Bali offers cultural programs that lure tourists to the island of gods. One of the most popular ones is Nusa Dua Festival. The Nusa Dua Festival is held annually, with theme changing from year to year.

With its crystal clear water and stretches of white sandy beach, Nusa Dua is well known as a haven of luxurious resorts. As Bali's only fully-integrated tourism resort destination, the peninsula is the perfect backdrop for this marvelous blend of performances, entertainment and activities.

This year's Nusa Dua Festival will kick off on September 8 and will run through September 16, 2004.

"Udiana Lelanguan" will be the central theme of the eight Nusa Dua Festival. The theme is taken from an ancient story of Sutasoma. Sutasoma tells of a man living in a magnificent garden and achieves a peaceful life through sincere sacrifice.

The Nusa Dua Festival will showcase most unique artistic works from Bali. They include Calonarang, Baris and Gambuh mask dance performances.

Bali's internationally acclaimed choreographer Nyoman Sura will perform modern dance.

The festival will also feature puppetry shows, with top puppeteer Ida Bagus Arjawa expected to demonstrate his skill in performing puppet play.

The Festival will open on Wednesday, September 8 with a massive Peed Agung - a parade of cultural troops, floats and performers that will wind itself through the complex and past a VIP reviewing platform.

Many hotels in Nusa Dua will also take part in the festival by providing booths or stands for interested handicraft vendors free of charge. Vendors are expected to display their products. Artisans and chefs will demonstrate their skills in making handicrafts items and preparing cuisine respectively.