Bali Governor Wayan Koster has revealed that he will host Ogoh-Ogoh competitions in conjunction with Hari Raya Nyepi Tahun Baru Caka 1945 set for the eve of Nyepi on Tuesday, 21 March 2023.
Unlike pre-Nyepi celebrations during the COVID epidemic, the 2023 Nyepi parades and celebrations will not be subject to government-imposed limitations on public movement and controlled crowd size.
Despite these limitations being removed, Balipost.com reports that Governor Koster recommends that Bali’s younger generation conduct Ogoh-Ogoh activities in an orderly and disciplined manner. Koster hopes that Ogoh-Ogoh floats carried in the parade demonstrate creativity and innovation in a way that prizes beauty, ethics, and aesthetics.
In keeping with local tradition, the night before Nyepi, 21 March 2023, will be marked with street parades across the island and mardi-gras-like parades of papier-mache effigies (Ogoh-Ogoh) created by members of local community halls (banjars).
In 2021 and 2022, Ogoh-Ogoh parades were canceled due to COVID-19 health precautions.
The Provincial Government of Bali has set standards and rules for the government-sponsored Ogoh-Ogoh competition, with winning groups granted cash prizes. Judges will evaluate the entries at local village destinations, including Banjar Hall, Village Halls, or alike, before the Ogoh-Ogoh floats embark on parades.
- Ogoh-Ogoh effigies must be made from natural materials, with the use of plastics and Styrofoam forbidden.
- The Ogoh-Ogoh effigies must have a maximum height of 3 meters.
- The Ogoh-Ogoh effigies should reflect Hindu-Bali culture and not contain political, racial, tribal elements or pornography.
- The floats should reflect Bali-Hindu deities or demonic giants.
The panel of judges for the 2023 Ogog-Ogoh parades will evaluate the entries on their theme, materials used, construction techniques, anatomy, anatomical proportion, expressiveness, creativity, aesthetic qualities, and religiosity.
Governor Koster will award prizes to the nine best Ogoh-Ogoh floats presented by the City of Denpasar and various regencies. Winners will receive Rp. 50 million each and trophies. Second prize winners (9 in all) will receive Rp. 35 million and trophies. The nine third-place winners will each receive a trophy and prize money of Rp. 5 million.
All prize payments are subject to sales tax.
Registration by eligible villages, banjars, and other organizations opens on 05 February until 22 February 2023. Judging will be done locally between 01 and 10 March 2023.
The top three entries judges on the sub-district level will go forward to a municipal and regency level set to take place between 13 and 20 March 2023.
The top winners will be publicly announced on 23 March 2023.
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