Bali Kite Festival Draws 1,685 Traditional and Creative Kites in Sanur
Bali's 17th Mel Tanjung Kite Festival brought 1,685 kites to Sanur, preserving traditional kite-flying culture while encouraging youth creativity.
The 17th Mel Tanjung Kite Festival (MKTF XVII) 2026, held in Sanur, Bali, Indonesia, attracted a record-breaking 1,685 traditional and creative kites. Organized by ST Eka Dharma of Banjar Tanjung, the village of Sanur Kauh, the festival was officially inaugurated by Denpasar Deputy Mayor I Kadek Agus Arya Wibawa.
Wibawa opened the event by launching a kite and extolled the festival's theme, Bhumi Samudra Akasa Sanggama, which emphasizes harmony among land, sea, and sky. He highlighted the event's role in preserving kite flying traditions while fostering a sense of togetherness among kite enthusiasts.
The festival provided a platform for participants to showcase traditional kites like Bebean, Janggan, and Pecuk, as well as creative kites like plastic and Celepuk varieties. To maintain the authenticity of traditional Balinese kites, participants were required to use fabric in Balinese colors: red, yellow, black, and white.
With a diverse array of participants from youth groups, clubs, and individuals, the 17-day festival demonstrated the enduring popularity of kite flying in the community. The event's 17-year commitment to maintaining quality and professionalism ensured the continued growth of kite flying arts in Bali. The festival's organizers expressed hope that MTKF would continue to grow and thrive, providing space for younger generations to learn and preserve this cherished cultural tradition.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
