Minister Hails ISI Bali’s Role in Elevating Global Travel Trends

RRI.CO.ID, Denpasar - Indonesian Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana has expressed high praise for the Indonesia Institute of the Arts (ISI) Bali, identifying its creative initiatives as a cornerstone for maintaining Bali's status as a world-class cultural destination.

Speaking during the "Kalangan Widya Mahardika V" event on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the Minister emphasized that the intersection of art, design, and tradition is the lifeblood of the island’s tourism ecosystem.

“The Kalangan Widya Mahardika V event and Professor Wayan Kun Adnyana’s solo exhibition are activities that contribute to strengthening Bali's tourism appeal as a world-class culture-based destination. This is an initiative that deserves appreciation,” said Widiyanti in an official release on Thursday, March 26, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

She noted that according to the Indonesia Tourism Outlook 2025–2026, travelers, particularly international tourists, are increasingly prioritizing social interaction and cross-cultural learning. This shift makes live cultural spaces more vital than ever for destination branding.

The week-long festival, which is part of the "Bulan Pendidikan" (Education Month), featured a massive collaborative performance titled “Kirtya–Jnana–Kawya.” The production pushed boundaries by blending traditional dance and gamelan with light shows, electrical elements, animation, and orchestral music.

A major highlight of the event was the "Pharama Paraga" exhibition, a 20-year retrospective showcasing 88 works by Wayan Kun Adnyana. Curated by international and local experts, the exhibition tracks his artistic evolution from biographical metaphors to abstract forms and will remain open until May 2026.

Beyond the aesthetics, the visit marked a strategic milestone for educational synergy. Minister Widiyanti witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bali Tourism Polytechnic and ISI Bali.

“Tourism is very closely related to culture. Therefore, collaborations like this become very important to strengthen the quality of national tourism human resources,” she added, highlighting the need for specialized skills in the sector.

ISI Bali Rector, I Wayan Adnyana, explained the philosophy behind the event’s name, noting that "Kalangan" represents a space for actualization, while "Mahardika" signifies freedom achieved through a sincere, uphill process.

“Thank you to all parties who attended. With sincere intentions, we present ISI Bali’s dedication to Indonesia,” Adnyana concluded. ***