The company consists of 22 dancers and musicians and is directed by I Made Djimat, widely recognized as the foremost custodian and interpreter of Balinese dance-theater. Djimat was a guest at the Oriente Occidente Festival in 1984. At the Zandonai, Europe will experience for the first time the Gambuh, the oldest dance-drama of the island, accompanied by the ancient sound of long bamboo flutes. This dance typically unfolds over several hours, narrating stories from the Malat, a cycle of Javanese epics about the hero Panji. Only three villages in Bali preserve this vast heritage, with Batuan being one, home to the Panti Pusaka Budaya group known for their commitment to tradition.
In Piazza del Grano, the company will perform a parade followed by the Penyambrana (a delicate opening dance), Teruna Djaia (from the Kebyar style, a new musical form in Bali since the 1920s), Baris (the warrior dance), and Topeng (the masked dance, reminiscent of characters from the Commedia dell'Arte).
For some time now, Bali, a small island in the Sunda archipelago (Indonesia), has captivated with the enchanting allure of its theater. From the striking visions of Artaud and his cultural 'discovery' in the 1930s to significant East-West encounters that shaped contemporary stage evolution. Among the grand theaters of Eastern traditions, Bali stands as a unique and extraordinary gem. Its vibrant, hieratic beauty in dance engages all senses through a pure scenic language, harmoniously fused with sweet and compelling music.
What is particularly surprising in our times is that while Western and touristic impacts have often disrupted, destroyed, or transformed ritual into artistic product elsewhere, in Bali, a living tradition has remained resilient and fertile. Thus, its theater—both ritualistic and secular yet always popular—resembles a flowering tree with strong roots, constantly renewing its forms with vibrant energy. This is far removed from cold museum reconstructions or tourist-oriented folkloric displays.
Enno Nuy - Interculture Foundation
