The Bali Kite Festival is an event held in July, where kite enthusiasts use the winds to showcase their designs and flying techniques. During the festival, held at Sanur's Mertasari Beach, participants compete for respect, prestige and prizes for their villages. The festival also has a religious character - its purpose is to thank the Hindu gods for the harvest.
Traditional Balinese kites are huge and require the work of entire teams. Their construction takes about two months and is accompanied by religious ceremonies, including a priest's blessing. The kites symbolize harmony between man, nature and the gods, and their colors - red, white and black - refer to the Hindu trinity.
In Balinese culture, kites (Layangan) are treated with great seriousness. According to legend, the first kite was introduced by Rare Angon, a shepherd and the god of wind, who is also considered an incarnation of Shiva. Kites are not only a part of fun, but also an important symbol in rituals and ceremonies.
The festival features different types of kites, such as the Bebean (fish-shaped), Janggan (bird or dragon-shaped) and Pecukan (leaf-shaped).
Each kite is a work of art, and its flying is accompanied by gamelan music and the enthusiasm of the crowds.
The festival is not just a competition, but also a celebration of community, tradition and a return to childhood joy, says Yoka Sara, director of a film about kites in Bali. Kites, their construction and flying are deeply rooted in Balinese culture, combining art, religion and community.
More about Balinese kites on: Yv blog.
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