DENPASAR - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, flanked by Bali Governor Dewa Beratha, officially opened the 29th Bali Arts Festival in front of Bajra Sandhi Monument on Saturday, by striking a wooden drum known as “Kulkul”.

The sound of the wooden drum was immediately followed by traditional music and dances being performed by tens of Balinese artists.
On the occasion, President Yudhoyono also officially launched a new brand of Bali's tourism promotion.

The opening of the annual arts festival was highlighted with a parade of traditional arts teams coming among other things from China, Japan, and Indonesia's provinces such as Jakarta, West Sumatra, Riau, Lampung and South Sulawesi. *ant