BADUNG — Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park successfully hosted the 2026 Ogoh-Ogoh Festival, drawing participation from thousands of Balinese youth in a vibrant celebration of culture ahead of Nyepi Day.
Now in its sixth year, the festival serves as a platform to showcase ogoh-ogoh—giant, symbolic sculptures that embody spiritual values, artistic expression, and community unity, traditionally created for the annual Nyepi observance.
As one of Bali’s leading cultural landmarks, GWK Cultural Park continues to provide space for local communities to express their creativity and cultural identity. This year, the festival featured 15 banjar (traditional community groups) from South Kuta, selected through a curation process from a total of 33 applicants.
The event began at 4:00 PM local time with a parade of ogoh-ogoh at the Festival Park area, followed by the main competition held at Mandalaloka.
Ch Rossie Andriani, Operational Director of GWK Cultural Park, stated that this year’s event reflects strong collaboration among participants, communities, and organizers.
“The significant increase in participants—nearly double compared to last year—demonstrates the growing awareness and commitment of the Balinese community, especially the younger generation, toward preserving cultural heritage,” she said.
She added that the festival not only serves as a competition but also as a cultural showcase for both domestic and international visitors.
Youth Dedication Behind the Spectacle
Behind the grandeur of the ogoh-ogoh lies the dedication of Seka Teruna Teruni, Bali’s traditional youth organizations. Many members spent weeks working tirelessly—often late into the night—to perfect their creations.
“We want to give our best, not just for the competition, but to represent our identity as Balinese people,” said one participant.
The creative process goes beyond festival preparation, becoming a space for learning, collaboration, and strengthening intergenerational bonds.
Winners of the 2026 Ogoh-Ogoh Festival
The competition was judged by a panel of artists and GWK representatives. This year’s winners are:
- 1st Place: Sekaa Teruna Yowana Pratyaksa (Banjar Bualu) — “Roga Sanggara Bumi”
- 2nd Place: Sekaa Teruna Setya Budhi (Banjar Ubung) — “Pragola Mayuda Pralaya”
- 3rd Place: Sekaa Teruna Widya Dharma (Banjar Tengah) — “Asuri Bava”
- People’s Choice Award: Sekaa Teruna Yowana Pratyaksa (Banjar Bualu)
Supporting Local Economy and Entertainment
In addition to the main competition, the festival also featured the My Melali GWK Market, held from March 21–23, 2026, showcasing products from local MSMEs and brands as part of efforts to support community-based economic growth.
Visitors were also entertained by interactive performances from Pemoeda Soeka Karaoke, adding a lively and engaging atmosphere to the event.
Through the Ogoh-Ogoh Festival, GWK reinforces its role not only as a cultural destination but also as an important platform for Bali’s younger generation to preserve tradition while expressing creativity in a modern context.
