BNEWSID – Bali has once again proven its standing as Indonesia’s cultural powerhouse. At the 2025 Indonesian Cultural Awards (Anugerah Kebudayaan Indonesia/AKI) organized by the Ministry of Culture at the Plaza Insan Berprestasi, Jakarta, on Tuesday (October 21), the province dominated the event by winning four out of five award categories.

The four awards went to Bali for Best Regional Government, Best Museum, Best Cultural Park, and Best Regional Pavilion at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII). These achievements reaffirm Bali’s strong commitment to preserving and developing its cultural heritage, a commitment that goes beyond rhetoric and is reflected in real, measurable progress.

Head of Bali’s Cultural Office, I Gede Arya Sugiartha, who represented the Governor of Bali at the ceremony, said the recognition was the result of strong collaboration between the local government, cultural practitioners, and the community.

“We are truly grateful for this recognition. It is the product of collective effort by all Balinese people who continue to safeguard culture as the heart of our lives,” said Sugiartha.

He added that under the vision of “Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali”, the provincial government continues to strengthen policies and programs centered on local wisdom and cultural sustainability.

“This award reflects our commitment to maintaining harmony between modern development and cultural preservation,” he added.

Meanwhile, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized in his speech that culture is the foundation of civilization.

“Culture is not decoration, it is the heart of civilization. As Bung Karno once said, a strong nation must have a strong cultural identity,” Fadli stated.

He expressed hope that the AKI Awards would further inspire local governments across Indonesia to take an active role in protecting and promoting their regional cultural heritage.

The 2025 Indonesian Cultural Awards were held in two phases. The first phase, on August 25, honored 14 artists and cultural figures, while the second phase in October recognized excellence in five institutional and regional categories.

With this achievement, Bali reaffirms its position not only as a world-class cultural tourism destination, but also as a region that successfully balances modern development with the preservation of traditional values and national identity. (*)