VOINews, Bali: The inaugural Subak Spirit Festival 2024, held in Jatiluwih, Bali, has set the stage for a renewed effort to preserve Bali’s ancient subak irrigation system in the face of rapid development and environmental challenges. Deputy Minister of Culture Giring Ganesha emphasized the festival's role in fostering youth engagement and innovation within Bali’s agricultural traditions, addressing crucial issues from water scarcity to shrinking farmland.
Speaking at the festival’s opening on Saturday, Giring highlighted the importance of subak as a cultural symbol and ecological asset. “This event reminds us of the need for a new generation of farmers and agricultural innovations to safeguard the subak system, sustain rural livelihoods, and preserve local culture,” he remarked. Giring acknowledged that the subak system now faces multiple challenges, including dwindling water sources, loss of farmland, and the looming threat of natural disasters.
Through a holistic approach, the Subak Spirit Festival hopes to address these issues by offering diverse activities across seven thematic areas: culture, ecology, knowledge, gastronomy, sports, performances, and media engagement. This multi-faceted platform aims to rekindle Bali’s traditional values among its youth while fostering a deeper understanding of their heritage.
“This festival serves as a call for the younger generation to return to their cultural roots, to recognize the wisdom in local practices, and to carry these forward with pride,” Giring added. He stressed the festival’s appeal to Bali’s youth as an opportunity to engage with subak not only as an agricultural practice but as a source of cultural identity and pride.
Acknowledging the growing pressure of tourism on Bali’s natural resources, Giring underscored the need for a closer partnership between subak agriculture and the tourism industry. By creating a synergy between sustainable farming practices and tourism, Giring believes Bali can preserve its subak system while supporting its economy. “I will discuss these collaborative steps with the Ministry of Tourism soon,” he affirmed.
Beyond irrigation, Giring explained that subak is a profound legacy reflecting the harmonious philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which unites people, nature, and the divine. With these values, subak is more than a practical resource; it represents a way of life that brings balance to Bali’s communities and resonates with President Prabowo Subianto’s vision of sustainable food sovereignty.
Dibal Ranuh, the festival’s curator, described the event’s theme, “Honoring Water,” as a tribute to the vital role of water in the subak system. The theme also encourages the public to reflect on and celebrate the cultural significance of subak in safeguarding Bali’s water ecosystem and agricultural heritage.
Festivalgoers are invited to immerse themselves in Bali’s cultural and natural wealth through workshops, competitions, cultural exhibitions, and performances by local artists. Traditional arts like joged bumbung dance and mepantigan martial arts showcase Bali’s rich cultural tapestry, celebrating the connection between people and the land that sustains them.
The Subak Spirit Festival has thus become a timely initiative, drawing attention to Bali’s unique heritage while offering solutions to ensure its sustainability. Through this event, Bali’s iconic rice terraces and irrigation practices stand as enduring symbols of resilience, ready to inspire future generations./ANTARA/VOI
