Celebration of Saraswati Day in Pura Agung Santi Bhuwana, Belgium

More than 200 people in a Balinese community in Europe gathered last Saturday to celebrate Hari Raya Saraswati and Odalan in Pura Agung Santi Bhuwana, located in the Indonesian complex of the Kingdom of Ganesha in Pairi Daiza, Belgium. Attendees came from all over Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Norway. The event was also attended by the Ambassador of the Republic Indonesia, Mr. Arif Havas Oegroseno and the owner/CEO of Pairi Daiza, Mr. Eric Domb.

It was 20 degrees and sunny in the beginning of spring. Thousands of visitors lined the entrance of the park even before it was opened. They were eager to experience and have a closer look at Balinese rituals and art.

The Saraswati and Odalan is always celebrated every year at this place, but this time it was even bigger. The event started around 10 in the morning with prayers and rituals. Belgium-based group, Saling Asah kicked things off with a Barong and Rangda performance, and Tabuh Sinom Ladrang and Legong Keraton dance; while German-based group, Bali Puspa performed Rejang and Sekar Jagat dances and Tabuh Selisir. The highlight of the event was a Mepeed procession with the people parade and walking around the complex accompanied by the music of Beleganjur.

An upcoming event is planned for June 11 will be bigger with an Ogoh-Ogoh parade, in conjuction with Pesta Kesenian Bali and another Balinese important date of Tumpek Wariga. It will be a groundbreaking event as the first Ogoh-Ogoh parade ever performed outside of Indonesia with three Ogoh-Ogoh coming from Bali.

The whole program is organized by Banjar Santi Dharma in Belgium and co-organized by the Embassy of Indonesia in Brussels and parc Pairi Daiza.

Pairi Daiza (known before as Parc Paradisio) is located in Cambron-Casteau, Brugelette. About 60 km south of Brussels or 20-minute drive from the French speaking Wallonia town of Mons. The Indonesian complex, Kingdom of Ganesha has been open tothe public since 2009. For the past years until just recently before this celebration, the area has undergoing renovations with more facilities designed to give a better understanding of Indonesia.