GWK HOLDS OGOH-OGOH FESTIVAL 2026, SUCCESSFULLY INVOLVING THOUSANDS OF BALI'S YOUNG GENERATION

Ogoh-ogoh is a sacred work of art that appears once a year, coinciding with the Nyepi Day celebration. As a powerful symbol of Balinese culture, Ogoh-ogoh represents artistic expression, spiritual values, and community togetherness. As a Balinese cultural landmark, GWK Cultural Park continues to provide a space for the community to express their creativity and cultural identity through the Ogoh-Ogoh Festival, which is now in its sixth year, while also affirming GWK's commitment to supporting the preservation of Balinese culture. This year's Ogoh-Ogoh Festival involves 15 hamlets (banjar) from the South Kuta District, selected through a curation process from a total of 33 applicants. The series of events began at 4:00 PM WITA with an Ogoh-Ogoh parade in the Festival Park area, followed by an Ogoh-Ogoh competition in the Mandalaloka area.

This festival is presented as GWK's effort to create a memorable visitor experience, while also providing visitors with the opportunity to fully experience Bali's rich cultural heritage in one area with a comfortable and well-organized visitor flow. Ch. Rossie Andriani, Operations Director of GWK Cultural Park, stated, "This year's Ogoh-Ogoh Festival reflects the strong collaboration between participants, the community, and the organizing team. The nearly doubled number of participants compared to the previous year reflects the growing concern of the Balinese people, especially the younger generation, for cultural preservation. Through this festival, GWK strives to provide an open space for works created by the Balinese people, while also serving as a cultural showcase for both local and international visitors to enjoy."

Behind the magnificent Ogoh-Ogoh displays lies the story of the hard work of young people who have dedicated weeks of their time and energy. Many members of Seka Teruna Teruni, a traditional youth organization at the banjar/village level in Bali that promotes social and cultural activities, are willing to work late into the night, even into the early hours, to complete the details of their creations. "We want to give our best, not just for the competition, but to demonstrate our identity as Balinese," said a representative of Seka Teruna Teruni. This process became more than just festival preparation; it became a space for togetherness, a place of learning that strengthened bonds between generations. The festival was judged by a panel of judges consisting of Anak Agung Gede Agung Rama Putra from Badung, I Kadek Sumariyasa, S.Sn from Denpasar, I Wayan Juliarta from Gianyar, and Andre Prawiradisastra, representing GWK Management.

First place in this year's Ogoh-ogoh Festival was won by Sekaa Teruna Yowana Pratyaksa from Banjar Bualu with the ogoh-ogoh "Roga Sanggara Bumi." Second place went to Sekaa Teruna Setya Budhi from Banjar Ubung with the ogoh-ogoh "Pragola Mayuda Pralaya," and third place went to Sekaa Teruna Widya Dharma from Banjar Tengah with the ogoh-ogoh "Asuri Bava." Meanwhile, Sekaa Teruna Yowana Pratyaksa from Banjar Bualu also won the Visitor's Favorite Award.

In addition to the Ogoh-Ogoh competition, the festival also partnered with local MSMEs and brands to sell a variety of attractive products as part of the community's economic empowerment efforts through the My Melali GWK Market program, held from March 21-23, 2026. The event also featured performances by Pemoeda Soeka Karaoke, which provided interactive entertainment for visitors.

About GWK Cultural Park

Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park is a 60-hectare cultural park located in Ungasan, Badung Regency, approximately 10–15 minutes from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. More than just a tourist destination, GWK is Bali's cultural space and a source of pride for Indonesia, presenting a harmony of art, tradition, and modern experiences in one integrated area.

In 2018, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue was inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Joko Widodo, and this statue has become one of the greatest cultural icons of the nation's greatest masterpieces. It is not only a symbol of national pride but also a global attraction representing the richness of Balinese philosophy and spirituality.

The GWK Cultural Park area boasts various large-scale venues with capacities of up to thousands of visitors, making it a strategic location for various national and international events, including MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions). The magnificent Lotus Pond and expansive Festival Park have hosted numerous international events such as the G20 and the World Water Forum (WWF), as well as world-class concerts and performances attracting thousands of spectators.

As a tourism destination, GWK continues to offer diverse experiences, from Balinese cultural arts performances, entertainment attractions, sculpture installations, to iconic limestone cliff landscapes. Visitors can also enjoy culinary experiences with the exotic backdrop of Ungasan Hill at Jendela Bali Resto & Lounge, as well as a variety of unique souvenirs at Kencana Souvenir.

For further information, please contact: Public Relations Department GWK Cultural Park Telephone: (0361) – 700808 ext.8115Email: info@gwkbali.com