CALENDAR OF EVENTS – OCTOBER 2013

October 4th – Dark Moon – Hari Tilem Sasih Ketiga
The Balinese adhering to the Hindu Dharma religion will celebrate ‘Tilem’ in temple ceremonies, which are mostly held in every major temple and family shrines around the island of Bali. On this day Hindus make offerings to the Gods, placed on the ground at the entrance of each housing compound.

October 4th – 10th – 7th BALINALE BALI FILM FESTIVAL
The 7th annual BALINALE will be held 4-10 October with a series of Workshops, Film Industry Forums and free Seminars continuing to be an important part of the festival event. Thank you for your support and please stay tuned for announcements on film selections and festival activities by logging on at www.balinale.com

October 11th – 15th – 10th UBUD WRITERS & READERS FESTIVAL
The 2013 Ubud Writers & Readers Festival brings with it the spirit of coming home, and pulls together the best Indonesian, South East Asian and international voices as it celebrates its 10-year anniversary this October welcoming more than 170 brilliant writers, performers, artists, musicians and visionaries to the magical setting of Ubud, to speak across all forms of storytelling – from travel writing to songwriting, plays, poetry, comedy and graphic novels.
International names will be joined by a world-class line-up of Indonesia’s finest and most successful writers and thinkers. The 2013 Festival will also host an exclusive open-air preview screening of Daniel Ziv‘s highly-anticipated documentary film JALANAN, about the lives of three Jakarta street musicians.
More info on http://www.ubudwritersfestival.com

October 15th – National Holiday – Hari Raya Idul Adha 
This is a national public holiday; therefore banks and government buildings will be closed, as may be some commerce, which celebrates the Islam Holiday meaning the ‘Greater Eid’. Eid is also about spending time with family and friends, sacrifice, and thanksgiving for being able to afford food and housing.

October 19th – Full Moon – Hari Purnama Sasih Kapat
The full moon (which has particular importance to the Balinese Hindus) falls on this day and ceremonies are held throughout the Hindu temples all across Bali. The Balinese that adhere to the Hindu Dharma religion will take offerings of food, fruit and flowers to the temple to be blesses by the priest. The Balinese themselves are then blessed by performing various rituals using holy water, incense smoke, petals and rice grains.

October 20th – 22nd – Lovina Beach Festival
Three days of activities centered on Kalibukbuk Beach in north Bali will mark the Lovina Beach Festival to be held Oct. 20–22. The festival will start with a handicraft exhibition and opening ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 5 pm. The opening ceremony will present a Baleganjur and Gebogan parade, as well as Gong Kebyar and Ki Barak Panji Sakti dance. On Sunday, Oct. 21, there will be bull racing at Kaliasem Village at 3 pm and a shadow puppet performance at 9 pm. The closing ceremony on Monday will be highlighted by Megenjekan and Gong Kebyar performances.

October 23rd  – 24th – Hari Raya Galungan & Umanis Galungan
Galungan is a Balinese holiday that occurs every 210 days and lasts for 10 days. Galungan means ‘When the Dharma is winning’ – Dharma being good over evil. During this holiday the Balinese Gods visit the earth and leave on Kuningan. During the Galungan period the deified ancestors of the family descend to their former homes to be entertained by those on earth. Although Galungan falls on a Wednesday, most Balinese will begin their Galungan ‘holiday’ the day before – on the 22nd. ‘Penjors’ can be seen lining the streets to welcome good fortune to those who pass below to enter family homes. On Wednesday the 23rd, the day of Galungan, most Balinese will try to return to their own ancestral home at some stage during the day, even if they work on another part of the island. As well as the family temples, visits, with offerings, are also made to the main village temple, and to the homes of other families who may have helped the family in some way over the past six months. The day after Galungan, the 24th, is a time for relaxation; visiting friends and maybe taking the opportunity to head to the mountains or beaches for a picnic.

The Kuta Karnival
Happening in October (no precise date going to press) the Kuta Karnival has become a very popular annual event. The Kuta Karnival Food Festival will also be held at this mega event. Apart from delicious food stalls, there will be movie screenings, DJ sessions, a children’s playground and lots more entertainment. So don’t miss this Bali Food Festival at Kuta Karnival 2013. Come and enjoy an event featuring fun, entertainment, tasty food, beach activities and lots more on Kuta Beach, Bali. PH: (0361) 752397

The Closure of Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali
To Support the Asia-Pasific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit on Bali, October 7, 2013, Denpasar I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport will be closed partially with the schedule of the airport’s closure as follows:
· 5 October 2013 (D – 2) : 10.00 AM – 16.00 PM (Local Time)
· 6 October 2013 (D – 1) : 10.00 AM – 20.00 PM
· 8 October 2013 (D + 1) : 10.00 AM – 20.00 PM
· 9 October 2013 (D + 2) : 10:00 AM – 16.00 PM