Bali Kite Festival—Bali Kite Festival is an annual international kite festival held in July 21 – 24, 2013 in Padang Galak, Sanur Beach, Bali. In this event, traditional giant kites (4 meters in width and almost 10 meters in length) are made and flown competitively by teams from the villages (banjar) of Denpasar. Gigantic kites measuring four meters and more in width will take flight near Sanur Beach during the annual Bali Kite Festival. The three-day event welcomes kites in all shapes and colors, joined by a traditional gamelan orchestra provide music and entertainment. In the competitive world of kite flying, inter-village rivalries can be fierce with catcalls or simple ridicule of a competitor, especially if a kite unceremoniously drops out of the sky. This rivalry even extends to spectators with the occasional outbreak of football style chanting for their own favourite. Kites are judged on the ease of launching (notwithstanding the trail of destruction left in its wake), design, how high it flies, stability in the air and most importantly, the landing. Getting a kite back down in one piece in the exact spot needed is a tricky proposition – cue more comical collisions. As with every facet of Balinese life, kite flying is steeped in religious symbolism. It was originally used as a way to pass on messages to the Gods, and traditional kites, which take the form of fish (Bebean) and birds (Janggan) depict Hindu deities. At every stage of the kite making process, blessings and rituals are performed for good fortune in competition. There is great fun to be had at Bali Kite Festival. It’s a real carnival atmosphere with the constant din of competing gamelan orchestras, guitar strumming beach boys, free flowing beer, cheap food and dodgy tattoos and everyone dressed to impress in traditional costume. This is one of those rare occasions where you can easily mingle with and see whole Balinese families simply let their hair down and hang out.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 07:11:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015