Light Up the World in Kuta Kuta Karnival IX Returns to Bali October 14-16, 2011
Adopting a theme of "Light up the World" and reflecting the organizing committee's view that these are the golden days for tourism, the Kuta Karnival IX is set for October 14-16, 2011 and will open in front of the Pura Segera in Kuta with a colossal cek dance and an opening dinner attended by officials, Kuta business people and members of the media. Plans for the Kuta Karnival IX are only beginning to emerge, but are reported to include the release of 500 turtle hatchlings back into the ocean and a memorial service at the sea's edge for the victims of the Bali bombings. The Kuta Karnival IX highlight will be a parade and exhibition of fashion and culture stretching the entire length of Kuta Beach with a giant performance stage located on Kuta Beach opposite the entrance to Jalan Benarsari. The Chairman of Kuta Karnival IX, Morgan Made Suartha, formally announced this year's event in a meeting with the regent of Badung, Anak Agung Gde Agung on Thursday, August 25, 2011. Details remain sketchy with a website including program details anticipated in the near future.
UNESCO cultural heritage meeting in Bali Nov 2011
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Sixth Session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity will be held in Bali, November 22-29, 2011. The meeting will be held at Nusa Dua, Bali, in November 2011. Delegations from 134 countries, cultural experts, and representatives of international organizations and NGOs will attend the meeting. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Government has registered three Intangible Cultural Heritage sites, namely: Balinese Traditional Dance, Noken Papua Handicraft, and the Best Practices of the Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park (TMII) at the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) this year for consideration by the 6COM Meeting. To date, five intangible cultural heritage sites from Indonesia have been recognized by the UNESCO as the World Intangible Cultural Heritages, namely: Wayang (Indonesian Puppet), Keris (Indonesian ceremonial sword), Batik, and the Best Practices of Batik and Angklung. At the Bali meeting, the Saman Dance from Aceh is expected to be announced by UNESCO as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage which needs urgent protection and preservation.
New Lombok International Airport to be inaugurated on 1 October 2011
The new Lombok International Airport, capable to receive wide-bodied aircraft like Airbus 330 and Boeing 767, is to be inaugurated by Indonesia's President Yudhoyono on 1 October, said Governor of West Nusa Tenggara, M Zainul Majdi, as reported to Antara News.
Located in Central Lombok, some 40 km. south of the existing Mataram Selaparang Airport, the new Lombok International Airport is built to handle 3 million passengers a year.
The airport will have a runway of 2,750 meters x 40 meters and an airport terminal area of 21,000 square meters.
The island of Lombok together with Sumbawa,- immediate neighbours to the fabled island of Bali,- are the major islands that comprise the province of West Nusatenggara. Lombok has grown in popularity for its pristine beaches at Kuta and Senggigiand wonderful underwater life at the Gili islands. Mt. Rinjani, the third highest mountain in Indonesia is also a favorite area for trekkers.
Next year West Nusatenggara plans to hold the Visit Lombok-Sumbawa Year 2012. With the operation of the new airport, Lombok hopes to welcome 1 million direct international tourist arrivals within the next few years. |