News

Arak Bali, along with eight other cultural heritages of Bali, has been successfully designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Indonesia by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology during the Hybrid Session of the ICH Designation held from September 27th to October 1st, 2021, in Hotel The Alana Malioboro, Yogyakarta. This designation, outlined in the Ministerial Decree No. 414/P/2022, provides national recognition and protection for Arak Bali and the other cultural heritages.

During the session, the urgency of proposing the national designation of these nine Balinese cultural heritages as ICH was emphasized, highlighting the traditional knowledge and skills involved in making Arak Bali and its potential as a source of livelihood and prosperity for the Balinese community. The designation as ICH ensures the safeguarding and acknowledgment of Arak Bali and the other cultural heritages at a national level.

The designation session was chaired by Director of Cultural Protection, Ms. Irini Dewi, and attended by Basuki Teguh Yuwono, the Chair of the ICH Expert Team, other members of the Expert Team, and representatives from cultural preservation institutions and local cultural agencies both online and offline.

In total, the ICH Designation Session for Indonesia in 2022 recommended the designation of 200 intangible cultural heritages from 32 provinces. Nine of these cultural heritages were from Bali, including Arak Bali (traditional craft skill), Uyah Amed (traditional craft skill), Jaja Laklak (traditional craft skill), Lontar Bali (knowledge and behavioral practices concerning nature and the universe), Sate Lilit (traditional craft skill), Karya Pemijilan Ida Bhatara Sakti Ngerta Gumi (customs, rituals, and celebrations), Berko (performing arts), Mejaran-jaranan (customs, rituals, and celebrations), and Serombotan (traditional craft skill).

Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, expressed appreciation for the designation of these nine Balinese cultural heritages as ICH and urged the people of Bali to preserve, protect, and develop these cultural treasures. He instructed the Provincial and District/City Cultural Offices to actively identify and propose other cultural heritages from Bali to receive ICH recognition and protection.

Governor Koster has made substantial efforts to protect the cultural heritage of Bali as part of the “Nangun Sat Kerthi loka Bali” vision through the Comprehensive Development Pattern towards the New Era of Bali. The legalization and circulation of Arak Bali were made possible through the issuance of the Bali Governor Regulation No. 1 of 2020 on the Governance of Bali’s Fermented and/or Distilled Beverages. This regulation has enabled Arak Bali to gain legal protection and commercial permits, leading to various innovations in packaging, flavors, and aromas. As a result, Arak Bali has become the 7th recognized spirit globally.

Governor Koster emphasized the importance of preserving the traditional distillation process of Arak Bali and warned against unauthorized alterations or the production of fermented sugarcane-based Arak, as it would compromise the authenticity of Bali’s traditional practices. He called for strict enforcement of regulations to maintain the integrity of Arak Bali.

In appreciation of Arak Bali’s national designation as ICH, Governor Koster organized a Cocktail Party and Dinner event, coinciding with the celebration of Rahina Tumpek Landep, on Saturday, November 5th, 2022. The event, held at the Governor’s Residence, Jayasabha, was attended by Arak producers from across Bali, hotel managers, and tourism entrepreneurs. The aim was to assure the public, especially those in the tourism industry, that Arak Bali has received national recognition and meets the standards of quality for distilled beverages, making it a suitable choice for hotel and restaurant menus. The event was expected to have a positive impact on Arak producers, encouraging them to continue innovating.

Governor Koster instructed all hotels, restaurants, and tourism businesses in Bali to serve Arak Bali as a beverage for tourists, reducing or eliminating the use of imported drinks. He also urged Arak Bali producers to improve packaging and branding using Balinese script, emphasizing the importance of discipline and competitiveness in the local, national, and global markets.