TABANAN, Bali (BPN) – The inaugural Subak Spirit Festival has made a striking debut at Jatiluwih Rice Terraces on Saturday (November 9), as a kick-off event designed to celebrate and raise awareness of Bali’s revered Subak heritage.
With the theme “Honoring Water,” the festival invites the public to reflect on the delicate balance between preserving Subak as a sacred cultural legacy and restoring Bali’s water ecosystems.
Inspired by the Subak protection initiative led by Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture, the festival represents a pivotal moment in safeguarding the balance between Subak conservation and the sustainable growth of tourism.
The festival opens with a virtual Subak Declaration led by the Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, showcasing the government’s dedication to the preservation of Subak and Bali’s natural sustainability.
At the opening of the festival, the Vice Minister of Culture, Giring Ganesha, offers the ceremonial betel nut, symbolizing the start of the festival with the spirit of community and ancestral heritage.
Giring believes that Subak in Bali is more than just an agricultural system; it is a heritage that radiates a philosophy of life, the value of harmony, and a spirit of togetherness. With the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, Subak becomes a bridge between humans, nature, and God, creating a relationship that maintains balance in lives.
However, Giring is aware that beneath its beauty, Subak faces significant challenges.
“We are confronted with the decline of water resources, the reduction of agricultural land, and the threat of natural disasters. These challenges remind us of the importance of farmer regeneration and innovation in agriculture to preserve the sustainability, welfare of villages, and the culture surrounding the Subak system,” he said.
In response to these challenges, the Subak Spirit Festival is expected to provide a holistic approach through seven activation areas: Culture, Ecology, Knowledge, Gastronomy, Sports, Performances, and Publicity.
“This festival is not just a celebration, but also a movement, a call to the younger generation to return to the values of local wisdom, understand their culture, and preserve it with pride,” he explained.
Giring hopes that the Subak Spirit Festival will inspire many people, especially the younger generation, to nurture and continue this invaluable heritage wholeheartedly.
“Let us make Subak a symbol of balance, wisdom, and cultural richness that will continue to live on for generations to come,” he concluded.
Festival-goers will experience a rich array of activities highlighting Bali’s cultural and natural values, including workshops, competitions, cultural exhibitions, and traditional performances such as Joged Bumbung and Mepantigan.
Local music legends like Joni Agung & Double T, Robi Navicula, Ayu Laksmi, and Emoni will take the stage, bringing vibrant, soulful performances that set a celebratory yet reflective tone.
The festival also features unique activities such as road biking, film screenings, eel-catching contests, and workshops on Sunari and Lelakut, delving into Bali’s local wisdom and the life philosophy passed down through its rice fields.
In addition, the festival showcases the downstream ecosystem of Subak, newly designed as a sustainable tourism destination, directly channeling economic benefits back to the maintenance of upstream Subak systems.
This initiative underscores the critical role of rice paddies as guardians of water ecosystems and as a source of life for Bali’s people.
The festival treats the rice fields not just as a functional space but as an ecological art canvas where humans and nature connect in harmonious balance.
Dibal Ranuh, the curator of the Subak Spirit Festival, emphasized that the festival’s concept aims to bring visitors back to the rice fields and experience their profound significance.
“I intentionally designed this festival to bring people back to the fields,” he explained. “Here, everyone can feel the authenticity of the rice fields, from the sun’s heat, the scenic beauty, to the daily activities of farming. Returning to the fields is returning home. The rice fields are our shared home that must be protected, nurtured, and passed on to future generations.”
The Subak Spirit Festival 2024 goes beyond entertainment; it serves as a call to appreciate and preserve the rice fields as an essential element of Balinese life.
With a blend of educational and recreational events that unite nature, culture, and innovation, the festival invites locals and tourists alike to join in safeguarding Bali’s ecological beauty and the cultural values of Subak, paving the way for a brighter future for Bali and the world.
This festival is not merely about recognizing the significance of water within the Subak system but also about honoring the rice fields as the heartbeat of Balinese life.
More than an irrigation method, Subak embodies a social and cultural system that fortifies community, sustainability, and ecological balance in Bali.
With the spirit of Tri Hita Karana, the event highlights the harmonious relationships between people and people, people and nature, and people and the divine, embodied in every inch of Bali’s rice terraces.
