The management of the Kura Kura Bali Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has positioned the Festival Penjor Desa Serangan as a practical learning space for local youth after they received training in event management.
“For the past few years, we have had an event management program, and this Penjor Festival is one of its outcomes. Previously, we organized the festival ourselves, but this year it is being handled by the yowana, or youth group,” said Zefri Alfaruqy, Head of Communications Department at PT Bali Turtle Island Development (BTID), in Denpasar on Thursday.
The Kura Kura SEZ management explained that during the third edition of the festival, the village youth were able to take initiative and explore the economic potential of the cultural event.
This was proven by their ability to independently secure 10 companies as event sponsors. In front of Pura Sakenan, five magnificent penjor have now been installed, each created with a budget of around IDR 8 million to IDR 10 million and set to be judged in a competition.
“In the previous two Penjor Festivals, everything was fully supported by us. But in this third edition, after receiving guidance and training, the young people of Serangan managed to find 10 sponsors on their own. Now they are able to see potential opportunities for collaboration,” Zefri said.
He further explained that when the younger generation on Serangan Island is able to recognize economic opportunities within the area, Kura Kura Bali SEZ remains open to the possibility of involving them in future development.
“The development of the SEZ will continue for the next 25 years. If they can identify economic opportunities, for example, when we need certain services and they can become vendors, that is possible, especially since they have artistic and creative skills,” he added.
Festival Penjor Desa Serangan was first held in 2025. At that time, Kura Kura Bali SEZ saw penjor as a cultural creation that was gaining popularity, while also aiming to contribute to the religious ceremony of Puja Wali Pura Dalem Sakenan during the Galungan and Kuningan holidays.
The curved bamboo poles, decorated with young coconut leaves and agricultural produce as part of religious ceremonial offerings, have become a highlight. Many tourists even visit Bali during Galungan and Kuningan specifically to see penjor in person.
Zefri hopes that through the Penjor Festival, the people of Desa Serangan will be able to identify more opportunities, especially those that can support the local economy.
The traditional leader of Desa Adat Serangan, I Nyoman Gede Pariatha, said that five banjar are involved in the festival: Banjar Dukuh, Banjar Peken, Banjar Ponjok, Banjar Kawan, and Banjar Kaja.
According to him, the Penjor Festival is not only about economy and aesthetics, but also about shaping a younger generation that is united while remaining committed to the philosophical values of penjor, which symbolize gratitude and prosperity offered to the universe.
“Our main purpose is the Pujawali ceremony at Pura Sakenan. Secondly, it is about allowing young people to showcase their creativity while preserving existing cultural values. Development continues to take place, and the accessories on the penjor have become a platform for the younger generation to express their creativity,” he said.
July 31, 2026.
Source: Antara Bali
