Half Day An Insight in the Arts and Education on Bali

When we head off the beaten track, we venture into new regions, often untouched by mass tourism and are able to showcase various projects for the sustainability of the performing arts, tours such as this one will gain a true Bali Explore label. When you have a half day to spare and seeking out a venture that not only supports a good cause, it also delivers the importance of maintaining traditions and the importance of education, we may just have the excursion for you. A perfect balance between meeting the locals and places where centuries-old traditions are handed over from generation to generation has resulted in the creation of an insight in the performing arts, education and handicraft on Bali.

Our guide and driver will be ready to welcome you at your booked hotel in Southern Bali or Ubud (supplements apply for tours commencing outside these regions) for a short drive to an elementary school near Denpasar. Children at the Panjer Elementary School will warmly welcome you for a period of maximum 30 minutes where interaction with these youngsters by participating in song, dance or simply try to have a chat with them bring a joy to their lives. Teachers at this school are accustomed to welcome anyone and can share information about the education system in Indonesia.

Next stop will be the Werdi Budaya Art Centre; a leading centre for preserving the contemporary Balinese art forms. From painting, wood carving to creating dance costumes used in Barong and Rangda dance performances around the island, visitors gain a deeper understanding of the intricate details, the craftsmanship that goes into these pieces of art and the cultural importance of maintaining these traditions alive. A favourite among guests is the making of the décor and ‘leading characters’ for shadow puppet performances.

Only a stone’s throw away from the Werdi Budaya Art Centre, the Indonesia Art Institute is a tertiary level conservatoire for traditional Balinese performing arts. Here you will have the opportunity to join the dance or music classes and see how skilful in a short time to master the dance and music techniques. The demand for the new generation to carry the legacy of keeping the performance arts alive for generations to come remains a struggle for the teachers in this institute. We end this morning tour at the interesting Bali Museum (closed on Mondays) with its collection of prehistoric pieces including stone sarcophagus, found on the Island of Gods.

A morning with a clear focus on the performing arts, education and the efforts done by various institutes not to see these traditions vanish, our half day tour comes to an end when your car pulls up in front of your hotel on Bali. You will be able to look back at an educational excursion that went in-depth with a focus on the cultural heritage of Bali.