DENPASAR, mybalinews.com – Nusantara Parade enlivened the 2576 Kongzili Chinese New Year in Denpasar, Bali, on the weekend.
The parade was part of the 2025 Chinese New Year Festival held in the heart of Denpasar city.
The event took place in the Heritage area of Gajah Mada Street, extending to the Puputan I Gusti Ngurah Made Agung Square in Denpasar.
The event was launched by Denpasar mayor I Gusti Ngurah Jaya Negara. Deputy Mayor I Kadek Agus Arya Wibawa, and the Chairman of the Denpasar City Legislative Council (DPRD), I Gusti Ngurah Gede, participated in the parade and watched various traditional Indonesian performances.
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Also present at the event were the deputy tourism minister Vinsensius Jemadu, the head of the Museum and Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia Abi Kusno, the secretary of Denpasar City Ida Bagus Alit Wiradana, as well as local government officials, members of the Denpasar Police, and local leaders from all over Denpasar.
The Nusantara Parade began with performances by dozens of Barong Sai (Lion Dance) troupes from various communities across Bali, followed by traditional performances such as Barong Landung, Barong Ket, and Ratu Gede. The parade also featured Wushu, a carnival costume parade, and performances from various regions of Indonesia, including traditional arts from West Sumatra, Banyuwangi, Yogyakarta, and East Nusa Tenggara, performed by Flobamora Bali.
Denpasar mayor Jaya Negara expressed his appreciation for the Chinese New Year Festival. He highlighted that the Denpasar administration was focused on embracing diversity, which enriches Denpasar as a culturally vibrant city in the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) or Nyama Braya (brotherhood), reinforcing Denpasar as a City of Tolerance.
He stated that the Nusantara Parade and Nusantara Stage reflect the harmonious interfaith community in Denpasar. This atmosphere of togetherness enriches the Chinese New Year celebration, which carries the theme “Celebrating Togetherness, Uniting Diversity, and Strengthening Harmony.”
“This is the implementation of the spirit of collaboration and tolerance in maintaining diversity. The various cultures from ethnic groups in Denpasar can further increase the attractiveness of tourism in Denpasar. Happy Chinese New Year 2576 Kongzili Year 2025, Gong Xi Fa Cai,” said Jaya Negara.
The Chairman of the Bali Chinese-Indonesian Association (INTI), Putu Agung Prianta, accompanied by the Chairman of the 2024 Chinese New Year Festival Committee, Hery Sudiarto, , stated that the 2025 Chinese New Year Festival is a tangible expression of unity, togetherness, and harmony in diversity. The event strengthens Denpasar as a City of Tolerance. As we know, the motto of Denpasar City is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means “we are all brothers.”
“We invite all parties involved to celebrate this Chinese New Year with joy, offering goodness, sincerity, and happiness to the broader community, keeping the spirit of togetherness and harmonious living, upholding noble values from all living beings, loving life, honoring life, and maintaining the balance of nature and its contents. This will bring fortune, prosperity, and abundant blessings for everyone,” he added.
Further explanation clarified that the *Year of the Wood Snake*, which symbolizes wisdom, intelligence, and hard work, would bring fertility, prosperity, and good fortune. Thus, the celebration of Chinese New Year is a moment of unity, cultural acculturation, and harmony within diversity, forming a harmonious social entity.
In addition to the Nusantara Parade, the 2025 Chinese New Year Festival includes the installation of gate arches and 1,300 lanterns along Gajah Mada Street and Puputan I Gusti Ngurah Made Agung Square, as well as a cultural ‘imlek inkulturasi budaya’ ritual at Konco Sing Bie Bio on Kartini Street.
The festival also featured the Nusantara Parade and Nusantara Stage, involving 1,250 participants, including 20 Barongsai troupes, 7 dragon dance teams, 600 artists, 2,000 participants in the AWS3 aerobics, and 200 practitioners of Wushu, Wing Chun, Tai Chi, and Kung Fu. Additionally, there were 130 micro small and medium enterproses vendors offering food, crafts, and fashion.
“Let’s celebrate the 2025 Bali Chinese New Year Festivalwith happiness and joy. May God Almighty always provide protection and blessings for all of us,” he emphasized.
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