MINISTER TO REPLACE PRESIDENT IN OPENING BALI ARTS FESTIVAL

Denpasar, Bali, June 9 (ANTARA) - Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik will replace President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in opening the 30th Balinese Traditional Arts Festival (PKB) on June 14 next Saturday, Governor Dewa Beratha said here on Monday. Earlier in the day, the governor had said President Yudhoyono was scheduled to open the festival but it turned out that because of his tight schedule in Jakarta, the head of state would not be able to attend the event, and therefore he would be replaced by the tourism minister. "The Balinese Traditional Arts Festival was originally scheduled to be opened by President Yudhoyono but he proves unable to do so because of his tight agenda," Beratha said. "Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik will open the festival on behalf of President Yudhoyono," the governor said, adding that eight United Indonesia Cabinet ministers and 12 foreign ambassadors based in Jakarta were also expected to attend the annual cultural event in Bali. Beratha said the eight ministers invited by the organizing committee were among others Home Affairs Minister Mardiyanto, National Education Minister Bambang Sudibyo, Minister for Women's Empowerment Meutia Hatta and Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik. He added the 12 foriegn ambassadors were among others from the United States, Japan, Singapore, India, South Korea, Thailand, Britain, and Malaysia. The governor said that although Yudhoyono could not open the festival, the president, the ministers and the foreign envoys on the occasion would be treated to cultural attractions and a colossal dance performance performed by Denpasar-based Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) students and lecturers. Meanwhile, Bali Culture and Tourism Office chief Nyoman Nikanaya said some 38 domestic and foreign personalties would speak at the three-day event from June 14 to 16. Nyoman Nikanaya said the foreign speakers would be among others UNESCO director general Kaichiro Matsura, Dr Shangkar Dhayal Dvivedi of Uthar Pradesh University in India, Prof Jenkins of the United States, Adrian Vickers of Australia, Shenji Yamasitha of Japan, and Dr Mark Hobar of Britain.He added that the international speakers once spent some time in Indonesia to conduct research on Balinese traditional culture and arts.