The cloudy weather was not prevent thousands people to watch dialogue and Balinese dances. The sound of gamelan Bali was featuring with the scent of incense and flowers to add the honor of Balinese Templefest. The festival brought by Hindu People Indonesia United in Berlin.

Nyama Braya Berlin worked with the coordinator of World Park Berlin and Indonesia Embassy in Berlin also Religion Ministry Indonesia that imported 61 students of Hindu Indonesia University to show the majesty of Bali culture to the German people. Purno Widodo said the drama of Calon Arang was the main attraction of Balinese Temple Fest in this park. Previously there were kinds of Balinese dances like Kebyar Duduk Dance, Jauk Manis and Legong Keraton. Two days ago those Balinese dances also performed in Ethnology Museum Berlin. Indonesia Ambassador for General Republic German also welcoming this event as it is accessed as the part of diplomacy to tight both countries.

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Ivian Sarcos were accompanied with “Chairwoman of Miss World Organization” Julia Morley, Miss Indonesia Astrid Ellena and CEO MNC Group Hary Tanoe Soedibjo. Together they met Governor Pastika in his office.

Aside from to enjoying the island natural beauty and its vast culture, Ivian Sarcos arrival also in relation with Miss World election that will be held in Bali 2013.

Julia Morley mentioned that Miss World election scheduled for one month in September 2013. There will be around 131 delegations from around the world to compete in this prestigious competition. The committee has conduct assessment into this island.

“Bali was chosen as the host since this island has been famous around the world. Bali also has received success as the host of many international events. The establishment of Bali as the host for this event also received positive responds from countries that will send their delegation in this event.”

Meanwhile, Miss World Ivian Sarcos in this occasion said she was happy to be able to visit Bali, a beautiful place and famous around the world. It was her first visit to Indonesia, especially to Bali. She comes to attend Miss Indonesian 2012 in Jakarta this Saturday.

“I feels honored to be able to come here and meet Bali Governor, Bali is an interesting place, I will always remember it. This is my first visit to Bali and I was very happy to come here where people are so friendly,” Ivian said.

Governor Pastika was welcoming Miss World Ivian Sarcos from Venezuela to the Island of Gods. He hope Miss World and her entourage could enjoy Bali’s beauty and culture.

“I hope with Miss World visit Bali it will boast the island promotion. We cannot deny that she is the international delegation here,” Pastika said.

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Yoga Festival International is involving about 500 spiritual participants from 13 pasraman (mental training center) in Bali either other areas around the world. “This activity takes place in Telaga Mas Ratu Bagus Ashram, Muncan Village, Selat District, Karangasem Regency for three days on April 13-15, 2012,” said the chairman of the committee of this event, I Wayan Sujana in Denpasar on Tuesday.

He said this event held by Peaceful Echo 2012 committee cooperated with Pasraman Council Seyaka Dharma Nusantara, Indian Cultural Center (ICC) and Ratu Bagus Ashram. This event is one of efforts to support Bali as spiritual tourism destination. “This Paradise Island has good vibration which has renowned by people in the world especially yoga participants,” said him.

Telaga Mas Ratu Bagus Ashram in Muncan village is about 85 kilometers in the eastern side of Denpasar. It is particularly giving yoga training for tens foreigners who are mostly coming from European countries. “A habit of mind concentration then brought by the foreigners to their countries. Now they are coming to this island particularly for Yoga Festival International,” said Wayan Sujana.

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A grand jury team started to assess 150 ogoh-ogoh in Denpasar. The headman of Cultural Department Denpasar Made Mudra accompanied by the chairman of Public Relation Division Denpasar Dewa Gede Rai yesterday said the ogoh-ogoh assessment had done since 12 March until today (15/3). According to him, there are 150 ogoh-ogoh that registered to follow this competition from the total of 360 Youth Groups in Denpasar. “The total of 150 ogoh-ogoh then assessed to result 5 best ogoh-ogoh from each sub district. These best ogoh-ogoh will be parade in Catur Muka later,” said him.

The total of 150 ogoh-ogoh are coming from West Denpasar as much as 36 ogoh-ogoh, 44 ogoh-ogoh are coming from North Denpasar, 48 ogoh-ogoh from East Denpasar and South Denpasar contributes 22 ogoh-ogoh. Those ogoh-ogoh accessed by jury team that represented academician, custom figures, cultural figures and religion figures. The assessment criterion covers the suitability of ogoh-ogoh with the theme, creativity and its suitability with theme and expression. The five biggest ogoh-ogoh per sub district will get training fund as much as Rp7,9 million. Previously government also giving STT creativity fund as much as Rp3,5 million per STT.

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Regional Company of Drinking Water (PDAM) Denpasar has created any kinds of innovation to give their best to the people. It is being one of the company’s missions to give better service to the people. This innovation covers Portable Drinking Water in several public places but also delivering better service to the people by cooperated with other monetary institutions.

The great service is bringing PDAM to get ISO 9001-2008 in the category of public service. ISO certificate acceptance is coming with the 20th anniversary of Denpasar in Lumintang Field yesterday (27/2). The award of ISO 9001-2008 is coming from the consultant of Q-Sert to Denpasar Mayor I.B. Rai Dharmawijaya Manta.

After he received this award, the director of PDAM Denpasar Putu Gede Mahaputra said the award of ISO 9001-2008 related by their service to the public so the award is encouraging PDAM Denpasar to increase their service to the Denpasar citizens in accord with government rules.

PDAM Denpasar then asked to apply ISO 9001:2008 for their service system. Gede Mahaputra added PDAM Denpasar committed to give best service to the Denpasar people. The assessment of ISO had happened on Friday 16 September 2011 by ISO certification institution and it had proved the fine service of PDAM Denpasar. Editor team of ISO institution has recommended PDAM Denpasar in this assessment process to get ISO in the category of service.

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Attending this grand final session, there were Vice Deputy of Denpasar Mayor IGN Jaya Negara, Mrs Bintang Puspayoga and related institution. He said, “Our young generation should fill themselves by any kinds of creative events to remain local wisdom,” said him. According to him, the power of character and self esteem is a main asset to face all challenges. This power is often called taksu as it is appearing with creativity, spirit and sincerity. Mr Rai Mantra said in the future we should keep ‘taksu’ on each person so we can get tough youngsters with nationalism philosophy.

The committee chairman, Moga Karisma said this TTD election is being one way to accommodate creative youngsters. “We hoped TTD election is distributing the activity of Denpasar youngsters,” said him. This event is also aiming to train youngsters so the youngsters will have nice behavior. The TTD election has held since 2002 and TTD election this year is the twelfth. TTD 2012 election followed by 132 persons. They were 53 boys and 79 girls. There were only ten couples who were entering grand final session. “The tenth couples has quarantined and got personality education before they were entering grand final,” said him.

The election of TTD 2012 decided Kadek Edy Januar Sanjaya as the first rank of Teruna Denpasar. The second rank is Putu Ivan Dharma Sentana and the third rank is Ida Bagus Putu Juliantara. At last favorite teruna is Putu Ivan Dharma Sentana. Girls or Teruni category chose I Gusti Putu Elisa Magali as the first rank of Teruni Denpasar, Putu Febyana Ayunda Pandi Putri as the second rank, Putu Ria Sprila Dewi as the third rank and favorite teruni category is Ni Made Mei Anggreni

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Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Pangestu said The Best Achievement award is appreciating florists who had contributed in developing agro tourism of Nusantara flowers. “Agro tourism flower has bright future and it is not only a commodity but also supporting regional tourism development. It is in line with Kemenparekraf purpose to develop world class tourism sector,” said Mrs Mari Pangestu.

Further Mrs Mari Pangestu said florists should carefully advantage flower’ potential in Indonesia to encourage our creativity. The touch of creativity will give additional value to the flower and it ends with increasing economic value of the commodity. This award is awarded the regional headmen for their dedication in developing agro tourism industry of Nusantara flowers. The award is also giving to flower businessmen and other people figures.

The head of HICIBAN Putra Astaman said this award wished to motivate florists in Indonesia to preserve Nusantara flowers so they will have economical value. This first event is also supporting tourism development in Indonesia while each social event always using flowers. Denpasar Mayor had achieved this award due to he had supported the existence of Nusantara flowers through any activities in Denpasar city such as Flori and Flora Nusantara exhibition last year. The exhibition event is also influencing tourism sector in Bali.

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Catching pig race held in Niti Praja Field, Lumintang, Denpasar on Sunday morning as it was attracting local people attention. This event coupled jogging competition to celebrate 20th anniversary of Denpasar city. It witnessed by Denpasar Mayor Ida Bagus Rai Dharma Wijaya Mantra. “The catching pig competition involved some people,” said the Head of Public Relation Department Denpasar, Dewa Gede Rai.

Any kinds of fun competitions held in Lumintang field but the catching pig race was mostly attracting people. This competition was allowing its participants to race their speed and agility. Committee used half competition system to find the champion.

Each participant fought one by one to catch a pig in a 70 square meters area. Since Saturday night (4/2) Denpasar city got rain that made Lumintang field wet. The wet field made the competition getting attractive due to the participant and the pig were full of mud. The competition was also including three committees as the bugger so the pig was getting more difficult to catch.

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The closing pray also read by Islam priest, KH Burhanudin in Denpasar though some Hindu religion figures were attended this event. The food that served to the guests also fitted with Moslem people taste such as kebuli rice. It is a special food from Middle East. Puri Gerenceng people is also serving ‘lawar’ as the main menu of Galungan day to couple kebuli rice. ‘Lawar’ is usually made by pork but this time Puri’s people made it from mutton.

“All of the food is ‘halalan thoyyiban’ due to we are inviting Moslem people,” said Puri Gerenceng figure, Anak Agung Ngurah Agung as the host. According to him, this event has been a tradition of Puri Gerenceng family. “We are obliged to preserve ancestor’s tradition,” said the chairman of Hindu-Moslem Bali Brotherhood (PHMB). Mr Ngurah Agung added this activity is also aiming to tight the relationship of Hindu and Moslem people in Bali.

“We are strongly keeping religion harmony in Bali. Local people is realized if newcomers are coming to this island to make a living,” said him. Instead of drinking alcohol drinks, Galungan should celebrated by strengthening communication with others,” said Ngurah Agung. Besides KH Burhanudin, some Hindu religions were also attending this event. They are Jro Mangku Gajah and some headmen of the village in Denpasar. This event is also attended by the headman of Millitary Command Section 163/Wira Denpasar, Lieutenant Colonel (Inf) Agus Wernugroho.

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“We are specially choosing this theme for echoing the masterpieces of famous writers in Indonesia. It is important due to in 2015 Indonesia will be Guest of Honor on Frankfurt Book Fair, a prestigious book event in the world,” said him. Last year UWRF were attracted about 235 writers who were coming from 60 cities in Indonesia to send their works on application process. The masterpieces then selected by Curator Council which was composed by senior writer Kurnia Effendi from Jakarta, Iyut Fitra (Payakumbuh), Dorothea Rosa Herliany (Magelang) and Made Adnyana Ole (Bali). The curator council then was passing 15 writers to invite and sponsored them to attend the festival.

“This year the process will be same. The change appears on the membership of the Curator Council. UWRF committee tried to change its composition yearly to avoid hegemony of the appetites and favoritism,” said community development manager UWRF Kadek Purnami. Purnami also said the application process opens for writers from all of literature genres including poetry, short story, novel, drama script even essay. Writers who were not yet publishing book also allowed to follow application and selection process.

“If you are a poet who are not yet publishing a book, please send your best 30 poets. For short story writer, the writers have to send eight short stories. Drama script writer have to send three scripts and essay writer must send four essays. Those artworks can send through e-mail kadek.purnami@ubudwritersfestival.com ,” said her. UWRF and HiVos, a funding institution from Holland will sponsored the trip of 15 writers who passing application process to attend this annual festival in Ubud.

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